Finding the Balance Between Done and Perfect
Perfectionism, often disguised as a relentless pursuit of excellence, can lead us down a treacherous path, stifling our creativity and preventing us from producing the work we're passionate about. It can prevent us from producing work at all. As I reflect on where I feel I've fallen short in my own journey, I find myself recalibrating the balance between perfection and productivity, frequently reminding myself, “Done is better than perfect.”
At its core, perfectionism stems from a fear of failure and a need for external validation. The fear that our work might not meet the impossibly high standards we set for ourselves can be paralyzing. We often shrink ourselves and our creative visions, turning what we once enjoyed into a daunting quest for flawlessness & outside approval, leaving little room for experimentation and the inevitable missteps that lead to growth.
One of the most insidious aspects of perfectionism is its ability to disguise itself as a noble endeavor. We convince ourselves that only by achieving perfection can we produce work worthy of admiration and recognition. However, this mindset often leads to an endless loop of revising, tweaking, and second-guessing, ultimately preventing us from ever declaring a project finished. I can't count how many times I've gone to post but changed my mind writing the caption because I was already allowing myself to be discouraged about its reception.
The irony is that the most celebrated works of art, literature, and innovation often emerge from a willingness to embrace imperfection & reiteration. The rough sketches, the early drafts, the discarded ideas – these are all necessary stepping stones to greatness. The fear of imperfection ultimately robs us of the opportunity to learn from our mistakes and refine our craft.
The first step to breaking the cycle of perfectionism is adjusting your perspective. Instead of viewing imperfection and failures as negative, it's important to recognize that failure is an inherent part of the creative process. Not a single successful person has been able to get through life without failure, and trying to avoid failure is ultimately self-sabotaging because you remove your chances of your success as well.
Keep going, keep growing - I believe in you!
Recognizing that perfection is unobtainable allows us to focus on making progress and learning from each iteration of our work. Setting realistic goals and deadlines is important, as it helps keep us moving forward. The freedom to create without the burden of perfectionism opens up a world of new possibilities and ultimately leads to a more fulfilling creative journey.
The pursuit of perfection in the name of “always doing our best” can often be more paralyzing than empowering. By embracing imperfection, setting realistic expectations, and allowing ourselves the freedom to learn, grow, and publicly fail, we can strike a harmonious balance between getting things done and striving for excellence. In the end, we'll regret the things we were too afraid to try more than we regret pursuing our goals.
