Thomas Curran

And of course, his meticulousness, his diligence, his conscientiousness, his high standards were unquestionably the traits of somebody who worked really hard and wanted to do things well, but they weren't the traits of a perfectionist.

you know, when I reflected on his way of striving versus mine, it became evident to me really that the big difference was that when he had created the things that he created in his workshop, he just took them to where they were going to live and left them there.

He didn't loiter for validation.

He didn't need that five-star review.

And as far as he was concerned, they just needed to exist way more than he needed to be loved or recognized or appreciated.

And

And that is the thing about high standards, I think.

They really don't have to come with insecurity.

Only perfectionism grafts the two together.

And that's why perfectionism isn't about perfecting things or tasks.

It's about perfecting our imperfect selves and going through life trying to conceal every lash, blemish and shortcoming from those around us.

So whenever I'm back home

I visit the places where my grandfather's carpentry is still installed because all those banisters and stairs and window frames that he brought into the world are really evidence of a man who had a vocation way bigger than himself and of course none of those things bear his name but they're used and enjoyed by hundreds of people every single day and I think just knowing that gave him an incredible sense of pride and accomplishment

And that's a wonderful way to live and one in which I'm hoping in myself that I can also find that.