5 Ways To Overcome Your Perfectionism

Simple things you can do right now.

What you’re about to read isn’t perfect.

And when you see the fifth item below, you’ll know why.

Here are a few simple things you can do to overcome your perfectionist tendencies…

1. Define “perfect” without a reference to results.

What does it mean to make something “perfect?”

Most perfectionists struggle to define the term or define it based on outcomes and metrics that will never be in their control.

For example, what does it mean to write a “perfect” blog post?

Does it mean it gets read by lots of people?

That it attracts lots of newsletter subscribers or sales?

That someone tells you they like it?

Those may be legitimate success metrics, but they’re not indicators of “perfection” in the creative process.

Take a moment to define what perfect means to you in the context of what’s in your control and you’ll discover your “imperfect” work is closer to perfect than you think.

(This has been one of the big lessons I’ve learned from sharing the secrets of successful creators each week.)