For years, I thought that I and everything I did needed to be perfect. After all, my parents had told me I was a “perfect” child. Just because I was over 40 didn’t mean that anything needed to change!
So I’d write an article in less than 30 minutes – then spend 3 days editing it. Even then it would sit on my hard drive for another week or two, just “aging” like a fine wine – as if that would make it even better. Finally, several weeks after my quick 30-minute article was ready, I would submit it to an article distribution service – then sweat for weeks in fear someone might find fault with it.
Of course, I know “no one” else has ever had that experience!
So how much is perfectionsim costing you? After all, if you persist and insist on everything being perfect, it will take you 20 times longer to get the word out about your product; 20 times longer to create the product; and 400 times longer to make a profit! You see, the pain of perfectionism is exponential.
So how do you get over your perfectionism? Share your ideas here and we’ll all conquer this together!
You are so write. I get to that 95% point and then my “fear of not being perfect” coupled with the “fear of failure” kicks in and it all sits on my hard drive or somewhere in the internet where NO ONE knows about it.
Great reminder for us. But I’m so disappointed to find out that you’re not perfect because in my eyes you certainly are!
Terrie
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I once gasped when a customer caroled, “I made a mista-ake!” from her car as I approached. The way it echoed around the neighborhood stopped me in my tracks. Everyone must have heard her. How could she yank it back?
I investigated why I was so appalled. Perfectionism. My own never-ever-make-a-mistake-or-else” mindset.
Well, I took on her loud, joyful admission as my own. I don’t always remember to use it, but sometimes when I flub–or even fear flubbing–I blurt out, “I made a mista-ake!” and smile real big. It helps!
Of course I triple-checked this post for ways to make it better before hitting the submit button. Sigh.
Hi Jeanette,
The way I got over it – I got tired of never getting finished. I figure if I can focus that same amount of energy moving forward as I do obsessing I’d end up ahead. I think it comes to a point where you get tired of being left behind! There is always going to be a way to improve anything you do and the reality is it’s never going to be perfect to 100% of the people.
Gwen
Of course, we don’t things going out that is so full of errors, they’re downright damaging and embarassing. But, there does come a point when it just gets ridiculous and it does more to deter your progress than aid it.
I recommend this book that explains about the negative and positive aspects of perfectionism, and some great workbook exercises to overcome the fear and compulsion – “When Perfect Isn’t Good Enough” by Martin M. Antony.
Thanks for sharing!
First article that grabbed my attention on this site, “Perfectionism is Not Profitable”. I was trained (and paid) to be an editor/proofreader. So, I reason, how could I ever let a mistake get through?!?! In addition I have procratinator tendencies – ouch! Let’s just ‘get it done’. What I do is set the timer, work like crazy, and call it good and done when the timer goes off.