Dear Luminous Leader,
If you’ve ever made excuses for a missed deadline or put things off until the last minute, claiming that you’re a perfectionist, you’re not just being dishonest to other people. You’re also being dishonest with yourself.
Perfection Does Not Exist
No one is perfect, and there is no path to perfection. You’ve likely heard the idea that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” and that is true regarding perfection as well. If you can begin to see high quality yet imperfect results being good enough, you’ll start getting more done.
Let Go of All-or-Nothing Thinking
One problem with perfection is that it’s usually involved with all-or-nothing thinking. The
truth is that almost all subjects have nuanced facets to them.
Stop Being Overly Critical
Many people who suffer from perfectionism are very critical of others and themselves. You do want to
think critically about your choices, but you don’t want to be extremely selective about
everything that you do - because of course no one is perfect.
Learn Goal Setting
One of the best things you can learn to combat perfectionism is how to set goals properly, including establishing the process and daily tasks that will lead to your success. The entire goal-setting process helps you understand the problems that you want to solve and the impact you want to make.
Take Baby Steps
The power of small daily action that chips away at every single goal you want to succeed at is the best way to ensure less failure and more success. After all, most people who claim to be perfectionists are just fearful.
Avoid Multitasking
News flash. No one can multitask. The human mind just doesn’t work that way. You will not be multitasking if you’re watching television while you work. You’ll be switching your focus back and forth, taking longer to get the work done, and doing it with less efficiency. It’s not worth it.
Set Realistic Standards
When you set your goals, you’ll want to know what "finished" will look like in advance. Instead of letting your gut choose, set deadlines and criteria that signal finished just like your English teacher did in school. These standards will help you finish projects on time and successfully.
Accept that perfection is an impossible standard for you and others that can never be achieved. I totally believe that you can let it go and experience the success - whatever that means to you - you have always wanted.
Until next time,
~ CBB
P.S. If you are interested in receiving high-level support as you kick perfectionism to the curb, then consider joining my closed container for high-achievers. Claim your invitation.