I wish everything I created + shared with the world was perfect. There. I said it.
But the problem is, in order to make that happen, I’d have to sacrifice sooooo many hours (days, WEEKS even!) of making sure every IG story, every piece of copy, every everything was was shining bright like the stars before the world would see anything. I’d be so busy fine-tuning that I’d never gain momentum. I’d never get anything done!
I’m pretty sure perfect doesn’t even exist, anyway.
I am my own worst enemy. And, I’m sure you’re yours. And even though we are ridiculously good at what we do, we still have the tendency to second guess and self doubt along the way, likely, because we’re comparing ourselves too much with the outside world and not enough with who we were yesterday.
But, here’s the thing, this striving for perfectionism, the hope of being showcased on a pedestal, the dream of wanting everything we do to be the best of the best, well that’s pretty freaking daunting, if you ask me. It wastes our talents + our time.
I know from experience.
Once upon a time, during a rebrand of our photography business, it took us weeks to decide on the right color green. Months to figure out if we wanted the icons on the left or the right of our new website. Doesn’t that sound silly? I guarantee you our clients didn’t care what color green it was, but we wanted it to be perfect.
In the last seven years as an entrepreneur, one of my absolute favorite mantras I’ve learned and decided to live by is this…
Done is better than perfect.
Liberating, right?
Oh, and just so you know, boycotting perfectionism is not being sloppy. It does not mean you’re careless.How yo
In fact, it means the opposite. You care about making the most of what you’ve been given. It means you have so much to offer the world that if you sit in front of your computer and stare at Lightroom all day long, perfecting every single image to 100%, that you don’t have time to wow your clients or get more clients. It means you don’t have time to build systems and have CEO days at your favorite coffee shop.
If you let it, perfectionism will ruin. Don’t let it.
Before you get back to work, let’s agree today is going to be different. Today is the beginning of something new + life giving. Freedom, even.
Here are 3 proven ways to stop perfectionism in its ugly tracks.
1. Know your purpose
With every task + to-do list, ask yourself: Why am I doing this? How does this benefit my business? How does this benefit my clients + future clients? If you can’t figure out the purpose and you’re spending time perfecting, you’re wasting your time.
2. Time yourself
Become aware of the amount of energy you’re using editing photos, writing emails, making decisions for your business. How long does it take to do simple, everyday tasks? Are you beating yourself up over every decision you make? Do these decisions deserve the amount of time you’re giving them, or are you spoiling them when you should be focusing on a more worthy cause for you and your biz?
3. Simplify whenever and wherever possible
How can you streamline + automate, so you can stop draining your resources and confidence on to-dos that could be completed lickety-split? Sometimes, we make things harder than they need to be. Think about what’s essential for every piece of work, shoot, email, connection, event…and do that part well.
Make a fast decision, right here and now, to do all you can in the moment you’re working on something. Give it your all, but then keep moving. Get on with your life. And give that next thing your all. One thing after the next. Make deadlines. Make decisions. Keep moving.
Stop perfectionism in its ugly tracks so you have the time to make the real true, talented, confident YOU shine through. That’s what the world really wants to see anyway.
