How to handle perfectionism — in the moment
Moves for when 'not good enough' is running the show.
You can't start or finish because it's not good enough — so nothing moves.
— Right now
- Aim for done, not perfect. A finished B beats a perfect never.
- Set a time limit and ship it when the timer goes. Good enough is a skill.
- Lower the bar to 'first draft'. You can fix a draft; you can't fix nothing.
— Don't
- Don't polish the same thing for the tenth time. Diminishing returns are real.
— Later
- Notice perfect is often fear in disguise — fear of being judged.
You can't start or finish because it's not good enough — so nothing moves.
— Right now
- Aim for done, not perfect. A finished B beats a perfect never.
- Set a time limit and ship it when the timer goes. Good enough is a skill.
- Lower the bar to 'first draft'. You can fix a draft; you can't fix nothing.
— Don't
- Don't polish the same thing for the tenth time. Diminishing returns are real.
— Later
- Notice perfect is often fear in disguise — fear of being judged.
Perfectionism: the short version
- 1.Aim for done, not perfect. Finished beats flawless.
- 2.You made a mistake; you're not a mistake.
- 3.Clock the win before the bar moves.
- 4.Whose standard is it? Often not even yours.
- 5.Perfect is often fear of being judged.
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