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Are you a perfectionist, a recovering perfectionist, or somewhere in between? Before you answer the question, imagine this scenario: you’re working on your fabulous signature product and you want to release it in a week or so. There are still a few things that aren’t right about it.
For example, the title doesn’t sit well with you because it’s not catchy enough, the color combinations aren’t working for you, and the landing page ain’t popping either. You’ve already spent several weeks working on this project, and you’ve actually been tempted to take a break from it due to serious burnout. What would you do?
a). launch the project as-is,
b). allow your perfectionist tendencies to take over and not launch it,
c). procrastinate and not do a thing,
That was a rhetorical question by the way. But if you selected b or c, you may be a perfectionist. How do I know? Procrastination has never been my thing because my perfectionism takes control every time I want to be great. Sigh! Okay wait a minute. Honestly, the only time I really procrastinate is when I’m overwhelmed or scared. But we can talk about that later. Let’s get back to this perfectionist stuff.
It used to be so bad that I wouldn’t post a picture on Instagram if it had one spot on it that I didn’t like or if my smile wasn’t just right. But over the past couple of years, I’ve done the work, and I’m proud to say I’m a recovering perfectionist.
What can you do if you’re struggling with perfectionism, or it’s keeping you stagnant in your life? I know it may not be easy, but you can manage your perfectionism and take some of the pressure off of yourself so that you can be more productive.
Here are three tips to help you manage your perfectionist tendencies and allow you to launch your projects, worry less, accomplish more, and achieve your goals.
1. Understand that the project you’re working on is probably a living, breathing thing, which means that it can be revised over and over as needed later on. Even after launching, you don’t have to worry about every nook and cranny of your project being perfect on the first go-round because you can launch it, learn, revise it, and release it again as a new and improved edition.
2. Realize that being a perfectionist keeps you stagnant. Completing your project, enjoying the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment, and learning from the experience is much more important than everything being perfect. I know it doesn’t feel like it when you’re in the trenches working and missing out on life. But trust me on this one because I’ve been there so many times.
For example, I launched my website in 2015 and it was very simple and plain. Ok y’all it was butt ugly, and I didn’t even have my coaching packages together. It was more important for me to do something, rather than nothing, and that something was to launch my website and improve it as I went along. I finally relaunched in the fall of 2016, and I now have a beautiful website. Yasss! Getting something done, is better than doing nothing at all. Yep, some kind of progress is always better than none.
3. Understand that there are so many people who really need to see and hear what you have to offer. Therefore, if you play small because your project isn’t just right, you’re actually affecting someone else’s life by depriving them of your greatness.
Think about it like this: who will benefit from your product or service? You want to get it to your potential customers as soon as possible whether it’s perfect or not because they’re probably excited to receive something new, and they’re going to benefit from it. In addition, they don’t have any idea about what your final vision for the project is, so as far as they’re concerned, your first edition is the final edition, and it’s amazing!
Here’s the most ironic reason why you should not play small because your project isn’t perfect and release it anyway. People aren’t as worried about us as much we think they are, so we shouldn’t be overly concerned about negative feedback, competition, or perfection. It sounds harsh, but it’s true.
Perfectionist tendencies ain’t cute because they prevent you from being great and accomplishing things you’ve planned and worked so hard to do. Perfectionism also keeps you stagnant because you’re afraid to make moves on your ideas and projects if they aren’t just right.
Although it’s not easy, managing your perfectionism is possible so you are able to achieve more, worry less, and launch your projects. Please know that you’re not alone in the fight because you have recovering perfectionists like me to stand with you too. Here’s a great article, 6 Steps to Creating An Ideal Work-life Balance bit.ly/1e2IHd0 with reasonable steps to help you find a work-life balance that fits your schedule, and can also help you get organized to manage your perfectionist tendencies. Now all you have to do is go and be great!
Have you ever struggled with being a perfectionist? If so, how did you manage it and win? Please share your thoughts below.
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