You hear it all the time: “I’m too much of a perfectionist to leave it like that,” or “I can’t help it, I’m a perfectionist,” or any number of other variations, usually stated in a way that implies perfectionism is a characteristic worth cultivating. The truth, on the contrary, is that perfectionism is an excuse, not an endeavor to be undertaken. It is a well-disguised form of fear and procrastination.

fear of being judged
fear of failure / success
fear of taking action

Here’s the reality: as you are wrapped up in trying to achieve perfection before taking the next step, or worse, waiting for the perfect conditions in order to even BEGIN, you are being overtaken and eliminated by your faster, more determined, less compulsive competition! The most successful people throughout history have failed far more times than they’ve succeeded. What makes them brilliant examples and mentors for the rest of us is not their ratio of success to failure, but their willingness to take action. The impossible pursuit of perfection will, in fact, stop you from ever achieving true greatness, so instead, just DO something NOW.

Does this mean you should settle for producing mediocre results and hope they somehow bear fruit? Of course not. You should always, always put forth your best effort in any undertaking, or don’t bother (because it clearly is not worthy of your time and attention). When you have done so, take a deep breath and send that effort into the world with love and intention, but do NOT tie it to your self-worth. Understand that you will not please everyone (another impossibility), and that you WILL be judged… then deal with it. Learn from your results and try again! And again. And again. Feel your fear and embrace it as a sign that is the direction of your greatest opportunity for growth!

As you see results, your motivation to make new attempts and reach new heights will increase alongside your courage! Your successes will accumulate alongside your confidence! It is determination, persistence, vision, and action that will pay off both in the long term and the short term… perfectionism is for wimps.

What can you DO today?