Understanding Perfectionism

Perfectionism is a common trait stemming from our innate desire to excel. However, the pursuit of an unattainable ideal can hinder progress, often leaving individuals trapped in a cycle of endless adjustments.

For instance, the animated film The Thief and the Cobbler illustrates this point effectively; it took nearly three decades for its completion due to the director's perfectionist tendencies, ultimately resulting in a commercial failure.

If we learn to produce more swiftly, we can embrace our failures and use them as stepping stones toward better outcomes.

1. Establish Realistic Goals

Without a clear vision of your project's completion, knowing when to stop becomes challenging. For example:

• If your goal is to run a marathon, avoid the unrealistic expectation of finishing in four hours. Instead, focus on completing the marathon itself.
• If you aim to start meditating, rather than committing to daily practice for 100 days, consider meditating three times a week for a month.
• When writing a book, instead of attempting to finish it all in one month, set a daily word count to gradually achieve completion.

Remember: it is better to finish something than to strive for an unattainable perfection.

2. Focus on Effort

Setting sights on perfection often leads to disappointment due to factors beyond your control, such as competition or external judgments.

What you can manage is the effort you invest. For instance, in the realm of dating, rejection is inevitable. Concentrate on putting forth your best effort rather than fixating on the outcomes.

3. Accept 90% as Good Enough

Achieving absolute perfection is impossible; however, aiming for 90% can yield excellent results. High standards are commendable, but knowing when something is "good enough" is crucial.

This concept aligns with the Law of Diminishing Marginal Returns, which suggests that after reaching an optimal capacity, additional input results in reduced output. Strive for the balance where further effort yields minimal improvements. Most likely, your audience won't even notice the difference in that remaining 10%.

4. Set Deadlines

Perfectionists often find themselves perpetually revising work without a clear endpoint. By establishing a deadline, you can channel your efforts effectively and complete your project in a timely manner.

A defined time limit encourages you to prioritize essential elements, steering clear of minutiae that can derail progress. If you're a freelancer, consider setting two deadlines—one for the client and another for yourself, with the latter being earlier to ensure timely delivery.

Final Thoughts

Aspire for excellence within the constraints of your available time. Acknowledge that perfection is an illusion and understand when to accept "good enough."

This article draws inspiration from a compelling video on overcoming perfectionism.