Not everything has to be perfect. Done is often better than perfect unless you’re talking brain surgery or concert pianist. Even then, there’s an element of art that isn’t necessarily perfect, but rather, appropriate for the task at hand.
Here are some ideas on overcoming perfectionism.
- List the advantages and disadvantages of trying to be perfect. Consider why something has to be perfect. Match the time investment with the value of the task or project. Example: sending a man to the moon and having him safely return to earth requires perfection because one mistake could be fatal. Sending a package in the mail doesn’t have to be perfectly packaged, taped, labeled, etc. in order for it to get to its destination.
- It takes time to be perfect (or as close to it as humanly possible). Adopt the belief that progress is more important than perfection. Over time you will progressively improve. Think of it as a process rather than a destination. No matter how good you get, you can always do better.
- Good enough is good enough for things that just aren’t that important. Save your best performance for the most important things in your life.
- The enemy of good is perfect: do one thing imperfectly each day. Examples: intentionally miss-match your socks; don’t spell check an email.
- Give yourself a break and delegate when possible. Just because you can do something better than someone else doesn’t mean that you should. You may be able to do things better than anyone else, but are you making the best use of your time?When you utilize your Fulfillment Pyramid you’re more able to focus on what’s most important to you and delegate the rest. Any time you can pay someone else less money than your time is worth to do something, do it (unless you get fulfillment from doing it)! That’s a basic, economically sound wealth-building truth.