Horse Sense

A little while ago I read a book called Horse Sense For People, by Monty Roberts. I was immediately drawn to the book because of the parallels he draws between a non-violent method of breaking-in horses and parenting. I thought the book was interesting, chalk-full of insight, and also amazingly sad. One of my favorite quotes from the book is about goals. Until I read this book, I had never thought about goal-achievement in this way.

"In order to achieve your goals in life, it is critically important to detach yourself from them. It is counterproductive to dwell on the outcome while in the act of pursuing it. If you believe that your direction is right, then working toward it will provide you with a successful outcome, within the appropriate time limits."
--Monty Roberts

Isn't it counterproductive to expect ourselves to be perfect even though that is what we are ultimately striving for? In some ways this seems like a paradox, but it also makes perfect sense.