Embrace the Level Three Lifestyle: Breaking Free from Perfectionism

Hey friend, how are you? I hope you’re having a wonderful day. The weather here in North Texas has been quite unpredictable lately—stormy and rainy, with tornadoes passing through recently. One of those nights, an alert woke me up, and I had to quickly gather my kids and head to our safe spot. Thankfully, the worst of the storm stayed north of us, but it was a reminder of how unpredictable life can be. We continue to pray for those affected.

Speaking of life’s unpredictability, let’s talk about how it affects our goals. If you’re listening to this podcast, I bet you have goals in various areas of your life—business, personal, health, and family. You probably even have a detailed plan to achieve them. But what happens when life throws you off track? You follow the plan diligently, then suddenly, something derails you. You wonder why you can’t just stick to the plan. That’s what we’re diving into today.

First, let me assure you, you’re not alone. I’ve struggled with this, and so have my clients. It’s a common issue, and our typical response is to be harder on ourselves. We think if we just push more, buy the latest productivity tool, or follow a new program, we’ll get back on track. Sometimes these help, but often, they don’t address the root problem.

Through self-coaching and working with my coaches, I’ve found a solution I call the Level Three Lifestyle. Let me explain. There are four levels of goal management:

1. **Level One:** You beat yourself up for not doing things.

2. **Level Two:** You go unconscious or stay confused, avoiding the issue altogether.

3. **Level Three:** You’re aware of your actions but not doing things perfectly.

4. **Level Four:** You’re doing things well 80-100% of the time.

As a recovering perfectionist, I often oscillate between Level Four and Level One, with Level Three barely making an appearance. This pattern is common among my clients too. In the context of a health goal, for example, you might follow a diet or exercise plan perfectly for a week, then something derails you. You fall off the wagon and beat yourself up, thinking it will motivate you to get back on track. But it doesn’t. This all-or-nothing thinking hinders progress, much like continually pressing the gas and then the brake over and over again.

Reflecting on my successes, I noticed they happened when I stayed in Levels Three and Four. In those times, I was okay with imperfection. I was making progress without the pressure of doing everything perfectly. This imperfect action is what I call the Level Three Lifestyle.

Staying in Level Three means being aware and present, focused on your goals without the hustle and striving for perfection. It means accepting that you won’t always do things perfectly but continuing to move forward. This mindset shift helps build a trusting relationship with yourself. Your thoughts and self-talk matter. When you stop oscillating between perfection and self-criticism, you create a healthier, more sustainable approach to your goals.

Interestingly, when I intentionally stay in Level Three, I often find myself slipping into Level Four naturally, doing things well most of the time. When I strive for perfection, I quickly revert to Level One. But embracing Level Three keeps me consistent and progressing.

So, what would be possible for you if you broke free from perfectionism and embraced the Level Three Lifestyle? How would you talk to yourself? What kind of progress could you make if you kept going, even imperfectly? Imagine the results you could create without the all-or-nothing mindset.

If this resonates with you and you’re ready to break the cycle of perfectionism, consider booking an Unstuck Session with me. Let’s work together to embrace the Level Three Lifestyle and create lasting change. Click here to grab your spot!

In HIS adventure,

Kayla