End Perfectionism Now
End Perfectionism Now
Have you ever not completed a project because you wanted it to be so perfect?
Do you love the researching and putting together bits and pieces of the greatest product you are going to launch only to spend too long in the discovery and design phase that you end up losing interest and not finishing the project?
Have you ever gotten so caught up in trying to get something just right that it never sees the light of day?
Do you have a stack of projects you need to complete sitting in a bag of papers or in a "special" folder of things you want to do?
Do you feel bad about not getting these amazing ideas out to the world?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might have a perfectionism problem. I don't like using the word "problem," however, if you are not getting stuff done because you want it to be just right, then you have a perfectionism problem.
You Can End Perfectionism Now
A few years ago, a friend told me of the concept of the Most Viable Product (MVP) as an antidote for perfectionism. You have to get the most viable product to market, and then make the improvements as you see fit.
The most viable product is the best thing you can create at this moment, with all the knowledge, expertise, and confidence you have right now, which is why we have almost 20 versions of the iPhone created since its inception. You will always produce the best product for *this moment, and IT WILL NEVER BE PERFECT.
The quest for perfectionism is an endless road leading nowhere. Get off the ride, plot a destination, and produce the best thing that you can for this moment.
Here are some mindset shifts that you might want to employ on your quest:
The "Yes, I Can and I will" Mindset
You have to believe that you can do it. If you don't think you can, you won't. You might get started, but not developing this belief will hold you back. Start by saying to yourself that you can and you will.
This thought can be a simple new thought code that you introduce into the program you are already running in your mind. Use this affirmation, "Yes, I can, and I will." You're much more likely to accomplish your goals if you believe that you can and will do it.
Stopping at the "I Can" is a perfectionist trap, taking it a step further to, "and I will" is a closer's mentality.
Do My Best
Start to believe that you are doing your best and your best * " at this moment" is good enough, heck it could be genius, the only way you will find out is if you get the product out, and get your feedback.
I love this belief; it is one of the Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, "Do your best." Once that is verified by you, move on to the next thing.
* This moment doesn't imply that someone is operating at the limit of their potential. But given a person's past experiences, present circumstances, current knowledge, and belief system, they believe they're doing the best they can at this moment.
Just Do It
At some point, it's necessary to stop learning, overthinking, and planning, and just do it. Your action today determines your next steps. Build on the momentum of your efforts and the freedom of releasing your work. Charge on to the next thing, revisit the old whenever you want but be prepared to change things if necessary, but at least you've done something.
Failure is part of success.
I accept my Success
Even if you don't see it, you can start believing it. With your knowledge of how the mind works, you know you have to believe it to see it and then create it.
You can apply baby steps to the process, start with small wins, and build momentum. You will be amazed at the synchronicities that start showing up to help you on your way. We learn from our failures, but we only succeed when we act.
Affirmation: I accept my success, and I am ready.
Imperfect Perfection
Make imperfect perfection a thing in your life. When you finish a project, accept it as the perfect version of itself at this moment. You've done your work for now. Know that nothing is ever perfect, ask the Mona Lisa, okay, maybe Leonardo Di Vinci, but you get what I'm saying.
There is a Japanese tradition centered around imperfect perfection called Wabi-Sabi, it is the acceptance of imperfection, and a tradition that is catching on.
If you are reading this, you are a perfectionist. The work will never be perfect, accept that, own it, live it, and set yourself free.
Affirmation: Every day in every way I am getting better and better
Visualize Looking Back on Today
Play the Look Back on Today game. This is the game where you get to have a future conversation sitting in your new office, in your next-level life looking back on today, and how far you've come. You will always be grateful for what you are going through today.
The Look Back on Today Game
"Remember back when we were trying to figure out how to get content for the website, and how to present it to the world." I will add a "LOL!" here," but you get the gist.
I Have Everything That I Need to Succeed Right Now
Observe your actions, are you stuck in the research and development loop? Learn to catch yourself, and let go of the need to get one more piece of data that is only going to overwhelm you and stop you from finishing what you've started.
You have everything you need to move forward. I know that because you are a perfectionist and getting to 150% is a target, you never seem to reach. How about aiming for 90% and knowing that your 90% is everyone else's 120%
Once again, you've got this.
Affirmation: I have everything I need to succeed right now.
Getting started is one of the most significant obstacles perfectionists run into in life. You start but don't finish and then spiral out of control because of all those little darlings (your projects) that never see the light of day.
“Free yourself from the chains of perfectionism, and start living the life of your dreams today. ”
I know these little mind shifts will create significant changes in your life, pick one or two, or all of them to start you on your quest to creating the life of your dreams.
Enjoy the journey; it's the reason we are here.
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