Self Help Goddess Blog

Are You Stuck on Perfectionism?

I was going to write on article on perfection for my upcoming newsletter (have you subscribed yet?), but I decided I just can’t wait that long and need to write about this NOW!! So let me ask you this, are you stuck on perfectionism? Personally, I’m learning how to "un-stick" myself and not get caught in this addictive disease…

You know what perfectionism is, right? You think everything has to be absolutely perfect before you take a step in the direction of your dreams. You think, I’ll never find a publisher because my manuscript isn’t perfect yet. I’ll never find my ideal job because I don’t have the perfect resume for it. And he/she would certainly never be interested in me because I don’t have the perfect body, hair, whatever! Trying to better yourself is a good thing, in fact a GREAT thing, but often times our quest for perfection gets in our way and derails our plans.

When I started working on my website, I sent it around to a few friends to get their comments. I would preface my email by saying, "This certainly isn’t done yet, but take a look…". And the next thing I know they had forwarded it around to all their friends! I wanted to scream out, "No, no, it’s not done yet!!", because I told myself that it wouldn’t have any value if it’s not absolutely perfect. I wanted to add this section, or find a better picture for this, or a better graphic for that, or spell check it more closely, and on and on and on. And between you and me, there are still a TON of things I would like to add or change about my site until it looks “good enough” in my eyes to send around to people.

At this point, though, I’m learning to let go and release my grip on perfectionism (which has been an issue for me over the years). I realize that my website and other things in life can still have value even if they are not absolutely perfect. In fact, what really is perfect in today’s world? Nothing!! And that is what we all need to remind ourselves if we get trapped in the cycle of perfectionism. There is no such thing as perfection; therefore, there’s no need to hold yourself back by striving for perfection. You’ll never reach it, no matter how hard you try! ;)

Furthermore, have you ever noticed how many “average” people are succeeding and making their wildest dreams come true, while you’re still waiting to achieve perfection on the sidelines? You're good enough as you are, right now!

"The perfect is the enemy of the good." - Voltaire