As a recovering perfectionist, one of the biggest challenges I had in writing my book, was taking imperfect action.
I read so many books that are brilliantly written and I kept comparing myself to the authors I admire, comparing my level of resources to theirs, and concluded that I couldn’t do as good a job as they did. This belief was preventing me from voicing my ideas and pursuing my desire to write a book.
As I checked in with myself and rose above this limiting belief, what I have to share and contribute became much more important to me than getting it just right.
I realized all I can do at this point is create the book given my current resources, enjoy and learn from the experience, and apply the lessons to the next book I write.
The following piece includes excerpts from Chapter 15: Live Live on Your Own Terms in my #1 bestselling book, Fearless Women at Work: Five Powerful Strategies to Thrive in Your Career and Life!
To fight the monster called perfectionism, I suggest applying these four strategies.
Set Your Trail
Chart your own course and keep track of it whether it’s in your head or written down.
Decide what you want to work on.
Keep this close to you and review it often.
This can also help you stay focused.
Commit to your dreams and your desires
Keep exploring the different areas in your wheel of life and hone in on the ones you want to focus on first, second, third, and so on (e.g. family/friends, finances, career, romantic relationships, personal growth, spirituality, community, creativity, etc.)
Go at your own pace.
Get the support you need
There’s a high likelihood that you’re exhausted from handling and fielding demands at work and at home.
Focus on asking and receiving the support you need to lighten the load.
Get creative, say no more often when possible, set boundaries with your time and efforts.
I know life is busy, and it can be busy doing busy work versus working on what really matters and could move the needle of your happiness.
If you don’t set your trail and commit, what you desire will remain just that—a desire.
Do It Anyway
Take imperfect action, stumble forward, as my mentors Fabienne Fredrickson and Steve Harrison say, respectively.
Be vigilant about the monster named perfectionism. It can freeze us in our tracks, waiting for everything to be just right.
Be willing to experiment and take calculated risks.
Try something new and see how it works out.
Use the feedback from your experiment and course correct, reset, and try something else.
We’re all here to learn from our experiences.
All masters you admire were beginners at one point. It is the constant practice and commitment that allows us to become masterful.
Image by wix.com
How to Fight the Monsters Called Perfectionism in a Nutshell
See, perfectionism can keep us in a very small box, a box where only perfect creations fit, which in itself is an illusion.
What might seem perfect to me will seem imperfect to someone else and vice versa. There’s no end to this vicious cycle.
Perfectionism keeps us from exploring, growing, and living life to our fullest potential.
For me, living life on my own terms means being in competition with no one other than me—aiming to be my best today compared to who I was yesterday.
It means creating the life I want based on my own parameters and criteria for success, no one else’s.
If you enjoyed this article, please leave me a comment and share it with your network. I look forward to learning from what you share.
In the meantime…
Be fearless! (act despite the fear)
Dr. Ginny A. Baro
Originally published at https://www.fearlesswomenatwork.com/single-post/2018/04/24/How-to-Fight-the-Monster-Called-Perfectionism