Are you a perfectionist? Sometimes? About some things?
Yeah, me too.Â
Trouble is, our perfectionism causes us to spend more time on a single task than necessary, to the detriment of our other responsibilities. We get fewer things done and are often miserable as we struggle to do them.Â
Perfectionism is a bad habit. Fortunately, habits can be changed. Or rather, replaced with a better habit.Â
When I’m involved in a big project like creating a major presentation or writing a book, the weight of the task and my innate tendency towards perfectionism often lead me to procrastinate. Â
No
When I find that happening, I repeat a mantra. “Progress, not perfection,” I say to myself. It reminds me to keep moving forward and gives me permission to create a terrible first draft, because I know I can fix it later.
Another thing I might do is schedule a deadline. “No matter what, I’m going to finish the research for this thing this weekend.”
It helps when I share that deadline with someone who can hold me accountable.Â
Finally, when I find myself pushing to improve something that’s already good, perhaps editing a draft for the 27th time, I remind myself that I’m not getting any younger and I have all these other things I want to accomplish.Â
Does it work? Sometimes. But sometimes is better than never.
Anyway, I don’t think any of us can ever stop being a perfectionist. All we can do is get used to the idea that done is always better than perfect.
How about you? What do you do to combat perfectionism or procrastination?
