Most of us procrastinate from time to time, especially when it’s a task or project we aren’t enthusiastic about. Or if our plate is full and a time-intensive item or two keeps falling to the bottom of the to-do list. This is simple human nature. But if you’re a chronic procrastinator, perfection paralysis may be the culprit.
What is Perfection Paralysis?
Procrastination is often confused with laziness or a lack of enthusiasm for the task at hand. It’s rarely laziness may be a side effect of the pressure you’re putting on yourself to be perfect.
Perfectionism is likely the culprit if you’re excited about the task, project, or new endeavor you keep putting off. The more passionate you are about what you’re stalling to start, the more important it is to you that you do your best. Your desire to give it your all can quickly evolve from enthusiasm to paralysis.
But if you don’t begin, you’ll never finish!
Top Drivers Of Perfectionism
“Discomfort is the currency of your dreams.” Brooke Castillo
The 4 factors below contribute to the stress and anxiety that drive chronic perfectionism and the stagnation that hinders progress.
#1 Fear of Failure
The more something means to you, the more of a letdown it will be if your vision doesn’t come to life. If you’re ruminating on all the things that might go wrong, try reframing failure as the invaluable lessons you’ll learn along the way. Setbacks are simply part of the process, and they positively contribute to how your project evolves.
#2 Fear of Being Vulnerable
If what you’re stalling to start requires you to put yourself out there in a new way, you’re likely to be feeling vulnerable. Especially, if it’s something you’ve tried before without success.
There’s nothing braver than vulnerability—so go for it!
#3 Social Comparison
Often confused with imposter syndrome, social comparison arises when you compare yourself to other people doing the same thing. You may worry that they’re doing it better, so why try? Or that your approach won’t resonate or work as well.
There’s only one you for a reason. The world deserves your unique perspective.
#4 Overwhelm
Maybe you’re confident and ready to put yourself out there but are so overwhelmed that you don’t know where to begin. You may have even completed portions of tasks, but not enough to feel a sense of accomplishment.
The overwhelm of all there is to do may leave you chipping away at the edges, never really digging in.
Getting Started is The Hardest Part
“You can, you should, and if you’re brave enough to start, you will.” Stephen King
Getting started is often the hardest part, but you complete 0% of what you don’t start. So, it’s time to tackle perfection paralysis head-on. Don’t overthink it or the cycle of wasted time will continue.
Begin with these 5 steps:
- Create a master to-do list that identifies all tasks.
- Create categories for tasks that need to be completed.
- Separate the tasks on your to-do list by category.
- Seek external resources, mentorship, and assistance.
- Commit to at least 1 hour a day, or 5 hours a week.
If you’re struggling with creating your to-do list, reach out to a mentor, consultant, or coach who specializes in the project at hand. For example, if you’re launching a business, a business consultant can help you prioritize your tasks. They can also prevent common mistakes and roadblocks to success.
Expect The Unexpected
The larger your project, the more your to-do list will evolve. You may even need to add new categories. This is simply the nature of progress, as you may not yet know all there is to know. There may also be external factors that change. Maybe a new tool or technology you want to learn.
Expecting the unexpected will minimize frustration and keep you motivated along the way. As new tasks are added to your to-do list, try not to get discouraged. Just keep chipping away at what needs to be done.
If needed, delegate tasks or portions of tasks to help you progress faster. In most cases, it doesn’t all have to be done by you.
Lower The Bar
Lowering your bar is tough when you’re stuck in a cycle of perfection paralysis—but it’s a must. There’s always more that could be done, so “perfect” is subjectively unobtainable. For example, if you’re writing a book, there’s always more you could say. And an infinite number of ways to say what you’ve already written. But, if you keep writing and revising what you’ve written, you’ll never finish your book.
So, lower your expectations. If it helps, think in terms of a minimum viable product (MVP) or 1.0 version of your project.
For example, if you want to create and sell a 5-part video series, complete the first video. Then build your website, set up your social media, market the first video, and start selling your video.
There’s much more to do, but your MVP offers a variety of benefits:
- Completing the video and website gives you a sense of accomplishment.
- Marketing helps you test strategies and build your email marketing list.
- The feedback you receive can guide and improve the remaining videos.
Build Your Positive Support System
“Never allow small minds to destroy your dreams.” Brad Turnbull
There’s an aspect of achieving your dreams and goals that we don’t hear enough about—not everyone will support your dreams. So, you must build a positive support system. Doing this can be a bit tricky, as those who truly support your dreams may surprise you. Some of your nearest and dearest won’t “get it”, may think it’s too risky, or respond with their fear of failing. This can fuel your perfection paralysis instead of inspiring you to pursue your dreams.
It’s discouraging when those you love and respect most don’t support the things you’re passionately pursuing—but don’t let them hold you back.
Build a New Support System
If needed, build a new positive support system. If not an entirely new system, you may need to limit who you discuss your dreams with. Thanks to the rise in online communities, it’s never been easier to network and find mentorship. Maybe even a formal club, group, or think tank. You could even consider a live or online support group for fellow perfectionists.
Building a new network or expanding your existing network will make you feel less alone while providing strategies to get started and keep moving forward.
Celebrate Your Progress
“You see, in life, lots of people know what to do, but few people actually do what they know. Knowing is not enough! You must take action.” Tony Robbins
Whether it’s weekly or monthly, take a moment to reflect on the progress you’ve made. Even if you’ve made some recent mistakes and some of the progress has been 2 steps forward and 1 step back, there’s forward motion and the insights of lessons learned along the way. Maybe even take a moment to journal about your journey each week or month.
Celebrate your success with your positive support system or by rewarding yourself in any way that’s meaningful to you. Get a massage, head to your favorite restaurant, buy yourself a beautiful bouquet of flowers, or take a break and binge-watch a show you love.
Seek Outside Perspectives
Perfection paralysis leads you to be overly critical of yourself, so it’s helpful to seek at least one outside perspective. Again, you need to select the right person, people, or group.
In most cases, this needs to be one or more people who:
- Genuinely support you.
- Have your best interests in mind.
- Comprehend what you’re working on.
- Will give you direct and honest feedback.
- Will cheer you on and lift you up along the way.
If your business is up and running, seek the feedback of your existing consumers. Your consumers will appreciate the opportunity to provide feedback and be part of your product evolution. And you’ll be able to leverage their feedback early on and in strategic phases of product development.
Feedback can snap you out of your most recent cycle of perfection paralysis so that you can keep moving forward.
Keep Dreaming
Last, but certainly not least—keep dreaming. Keep innovating. Keep feeding and fueling your passions. This will motivate you to complete your existing project because you have something else in sight. From the 2.0 version of your current project or something new.
What Will You Start With First?
The tips above will help you get started and stay on track, but they won’t permanently erase your perfectionism. When you have an off day, take a beat, and start fresh the next day.
And remember, it’s the combination of inspiration and action that delivers results!
About Tommy Turner:
Entrepreneur and author Tommy Turner brings over three decades of experience inspiring others through his journey in the piano industry, online marketing, stock trading, and motivational writing.
For more about Tommy’s journey and work, visit the about page, drop a line on the contact page or leave a comment in the comments section. Check out Tommy’s books!
