The Perils of Perfectionism

The word ‘perfectionism’ is misleading.  It sounds like excellence, like being extremely particular or skilled at something.

The truth is, perfectionism is the act of doing nothing unless it can be done perfectly, the first time, without fail.

Think of it as a beast who whispers in your ear, “You can–and should!–do this better than anyone else.”  It is the force that keeps us immobile until the stars and moon align in such a way that we can act.

Listen to this example:  I can start my blog when…

I know exactly what I am going to say

I can say it in the most clever and engaging way humanly possible

I can speak without an iota of hypocrisy, having perfected all the issues I plan on writing about.

My blog will be the best blog, EVER, on the Internet.  It will have graphics and flash and dynamic writing and great content and media embedded!

I will quickly become the best and most popular blog on the planet.

See what I mean?  Like the time I was in the third grade and heard two women talking about how ‘fine’ my hair was.  I was unabashedly flattered, until I figured out ‘fine’ meant thin, mousy, not, as I had hoped and assumed, ‘glorious.’  Perfectionism is not a compliment.  It’s bad.  It is a Gremlin hell-bent on throwing you into the abyss of procrastination and, eventually, despair.  It says, if you can’t do it perfectly, the first time, without the need for edits or a fresh sheet of paper, you shouldn’t do it at all.

Perfectionism keeps us from writing or painting or running.  It dooms us before we start, telling us the lie, “Why does it really matter?  What do you REALLY have to offer?  Who do you think you are to attempt this?”  It screams at our dreams, “You hypocrite, you big, fat fake!”

In the days surrounding the New Year, Perfectionism (who we will hereafter personify with a capital P) is on the rampage, seeking whom he may devour.  You see, if he can kill your dreams, your ideas, your motivation just one moment at a time, he wins.

Do you want him to win??