Pitfalls of the Perfectionist
We neglect major pieces because we’re hell-bent on controlling the subjective.
What’s the real standard of perfection?
If everyone were to consider this question and give an honest answer, each response will be slightly different.
Why do we fixate on a concept that is so highly subjective?
I think many of us use perfectionism as a means to shy away from our potential. I see it as another form of self-sabotage, another example of us getting in our own way.
In the realm of perfectionism, we procrastinate, hesitate and consistently fall short. You may find yourself giving up before you even start or starting, but focusing on the wrong elements.
Perfectionism can be quite unforgiving as it drives you to measure yourself against an illusion, an imaginary concept that simply cannot be attained.
Yet we continue to invest a great deal of energy trying to prove that we can measure up. Engaging in this way of thinking leaves as disappointed and dissatisfied because none of our expectations are ever actually met with reality.
Constantly setting unrealistic expectations for yourself cripples your confidence. We’re not superhuman, so odds are you simply won’t meet the ridiculously high expectations you impose upon yourself.
Left feeling incomplete and inadequate, you choose to overlook the fact that you already have all you need within yourself and focus on what you think is missing.
Try to think from a place of abundance and remember that you’ll evolve along the way. Mastering your craft comes with time, commitment and discipline. Your work won’t be perfect in the beginning and that’s fine.
What matters is that you actually start and keep going.
We wouldn’t take as long to make the necessary decisions and create the life we want if we didn’t have to first consider the opinions of everyone around us.
Throughout the process, you’ll learn what works for you and which strategies help boost your creativity and productivity.
It’s difficult to make real progress when you’re constantly second-guessing and questioning yourself. The questions only make you more doubtful and resistant.
Example
Oftentimes, perfectionists will obsess over the smaller details, completely overlooking the bigger picture.
Creating a fancy, animated website is pointless if there is little to no traffic. Similarly, writing an article post filled with fancy words and metaphors is useless if you fail to get your message across to the reader.
In ruminating over the more inconsequential factors of our craft, we’re avoiding doing the work that actually matters.
People will visit your site and read your work once it provides value to them. Invest your energy into being useful, resourceful and efficient.
Remember that these efforts take time to mature. You’ll never reach this desired level if you’re allowing perfectionism to push you to procrastinate, compare, worry and focus on trivial fine-tuning.
Your new standard can be trying to improve by 1% each week.
If any depiction of perfection truly exists, it would be this: try to improve your craft by just a tiny bit each week.
The compounding effect becomes exponential.
By the end of the year, you will have created a lane of your own. You won’t even recognize yourself.
Focusing on incremental improvement not only ensures that you actually start, but it alleviates the tendency to fixate on the end result.
In addition to building patience, you’re training yourself to think more holistically, considering how all parts contribute to a functioning system.
In perfectionism, we neglect major pieces because we’re hell-bent on controlling the subjective.
The layout of your website with the formatting of your article will be pleasing to some but not so appealing to others. This is because design is subjective, it’s based on each person’s individual perception.
It’s futile to plague our minds with perfecting the small details because when it comes down to it, the opinions of others are simply out of your control.
Your ability to fill a need, solve a problem and remain useful are themes difficult to overlook or unrightfully judge.
People will notice.
They will gravitate to you and your work.
Focus on the right things.
Takeaway
Deeply rooted perfectionism stems from a fear of being judged. We’re fearful of failing, looking stupid and looking like a fraud in front of others.
We wouldn’t take as long to make the necessary decisions and create the life we want if we didn’t have to first consider the opinions of everyone around us.
This fear can be quite stifling and keep you stagnant within your own life.
You will receive the right type of approval once you finally decide to lead your life fearlessly, fiercely and unapologetically.
It’s the only approval that matters: yours.
You’ll begin to feel deeply satisfied with yourself and respect from others will flow naturally. It’s much more rewarding to be respected than to be liked.
You can’t guarantee that everyone will like you or your craft but you can dictate the level of respect they show.
This will flow naturally by first choosing to confidently own and display your true identity.
It may not be perfect but it’s unique to you and it sure is worth it.