Have you ever allowed - the need to be perfect - to prevent you from taking a chance at being great?
We all know that girl; she’s fierce, knowledgeable, detail-oriented, always organized, has amazing plans, but never feels confident enough to move forward with what she has planned because it's never good enough? Do you know her?
Let us keep going...
She's hard-working
Fears failure
Is a high achiever
Sometimes has unrealistic expectations
She's hyper-focused on results
Overly critical
Procrastinates
Expert Overthinker
Discouraged by negative “what if’s”
Does she look familiar?
These are common traits and tendencies found in perfectionists, and I know her all too well. I have found that it is far too easy to encourage others to go after their dreams, launch businesses, or start new projects, but I tend to create long lists of reasons I should wait to move forward with my ideas. Do you see the list of traits and tendencies above? Each of those bullet points have intertwined to create a tailored dress that I’ve worn for years!
Now don’t get me wrong, there are some beneficial qualities within perfectionism personalities.
Being a hard-working over-achiever is not always a bad thing. However, if you find yourself terrified or hesitant to start new things or too afraid to pursue your dream because of all of the what-ifs truly, you may have perfectionism paralysis.
If this is you, my dear purpose-filled sister, it is time to say ‘no’ to perfectionism paralysis and take the first step forward.
Do you know what I tell myself to shake myself free from the chains of perfectionism paralysis? I tell myself,
DO NOT ALLOW FEAR OF A MISSTEP TO KEEP YOU FROM TAKING THE FIRST STEP.
DO NOT ALLOW THE ANXIETY OF THE UNKNOWN TO CAUSE YOU TO PANIC.
Having the desire to do all things perfectly is ambitious, responsible, and celebrated, but perfectionism without boundaries can hinder movement. We've all heard the saying, perfect is the enemy of great. The fear of failure is crippling, but the truth is EVERY single world-changing idea has dealt with a failure or two or three or even maybe even 10,000! Thanks, Thomas Edison, for not giving up after failing 10,000 times!
The reality is, if you do not make an attempt, there is a 100% guarantee that you will not actualize your dream. On the contrary, every step you take towards your dream brings you closer to it, even if missteps are part of the process.
Here are some ways to start fighting perfectionism paralysis:
1. DO IT AFRAID! Step forward - even if fear presents itself.
2. Don't just think of the negative what-if; think of the positive what-ifs too.
3. Make a list of steps to take and follow it.
4. Celebrate your progress, even the little steps.
I can almost guarantee you that the process will not look perfect. Progress does not look perfect, but it is profitable, moving you closer to the end goal. I am sure we can agree that forward movement is better than stagnantly suffering from perfectionism paralysis.
I have decided that I will not let fear count me out before I even start, and I hope you join me.
Let's say ‘no’ to perfectionism paralysis!
Written by: Victoria Matthews
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