Go Be Joyfully Bad
In our pursuit of excellence and achievement, we've forgotten something vital: the transformative power of being gloriously, unapologetically bad at things we enjoy. As a physician, public health professional, and trauma-informed executive coach - and as a mom to four boys! - I see the many ways our relentless drive for perfection too often stems from deeper patterns of protective behavior – and how breaking free from these patterns can lead to profound healing and growth.
The Hidden Cost of Perfection
In trauma-responsive coaching and leadership development programs, we regularly work with brilliant professionals who have developed iron-clad relationships with perfectionism as a survival mechanism.
This often manifests as:
Avoiding new experiences unless success is guaranteed
Equating self-worth with achievement
Using "excellence" as armor against vulnerability
Over-performing to the point of exhaustion and burnout
The Neuroscience of Joyous Incompetence
From a trauma mitigation perspective, engaging in activities where we're knowingly "bad" can help rewire our nervous system's over-reactive rejection of imperfection. When we choose to be playfully incompetent, we:
Create new neural pathways associated with safety and exploration
Reduce the activation of our threat-response system
Build resilience through positive risk-taking
Breaking Free: The Trauma-Informed Path to Joy
The journey to embracing imperfection isn't about lowering standards – it's about expanding possibilities. In coaching, we call this "creating and increasing capacity for joy."
Consider:
What activities have you always wanted to try?
What would you do if excellence wasn't required?
Where might "good enough" actually be perfect?
The Professional Paradox
Even in professional settings, the ability to embrace - and even encourage - imperfection can lead to:
Increased innovation and creativity
Stronger team dynamics
More authentic leadership
Enhanced emotional intelligence
Your Permission Slip for 2025
We’ve been engaged in trauma-responsive coaching and leadership development for a long time with thousands of professionals across industries. This is your official permission to:
Try something new without mastering it (or having any intention of mastering it!)
Enjoy the process without obsessing over the outcome
Let go of the "excellence or nothing" mindset
Find or rediscover your joy in in the journey and the learning
Creating the Conditions for Joyful Growth
The data is clear: Sustainable growth comes from creating the conditions for thriving. This includes:
Creating safety and clarity, even in times of uncertainty
Embracing imperfection and play as powerful teachers
Building community in small moments around authentic experiences
Celebrating small steps, "glorious failures," and the connections we create
Ready to Explore Your Own Journey?
Sustainable resilience and joyful growth aren’t meant to be solo expeditions. Lodestar faculty are committed to honoring both your achievements and your experiments.