There’s nothing wrong with doing a great job and producing quality work—these are a must to push your career to the next level. Perfectionism, though, robs you of your satisfaction and joy. My message today is that you are perfect just the way you are. Below are breakthrough ways to help you set aside your perfectionism for good.
Break the mold. I grew up playing the violin. Most violinists I knew only knew how to play the melody of someone else’s song. After taking a hiatus, I wanted to learn how to improvise. Most violinists don’t improvise. They try to do everything perfectly. I wanted to break the mold.
Give yourself a break. That’s when I began taking violin lessons from a guitarist. Guitarists I know make up their own music. My teacher challenged my perfectionism head on. He would tell me, “Practice doesn’t make perfect. Practice makes progress.” I can’t tell you what a relief it is when you give yourself a break.
You have all the time there is. I used to stop by my colleague’s office, frantic and windblown from my corporate pace. I would complain that I didn’t ever have enough time. That’s when she looked at me and said, “You have all the time there is.” I stopped dead in my tracks. All each of us ever has is the present moment. What a relief it is when we settle into this very moment and take notice.
One thing at a time. Multitasking has helped so many of us fall into workaholic patterns, yet it feels much more satisfying if you can select one action step, whatever it is, and do it completely. If you just balked, then you’re not breaking your projects down into small enough pieces. What a relief it is to accomplish what you set out to do. Set yourself up for success!
Repeat often.” I am perfect just the way I am. I am enough. I do enough. I have enough.”
–Laura Newberry-Yokley, Holistic Leadership Coach
