“Perfection is not a standard…it’s an obstacle.”

~ Unknown

How often has that chase for perfection delayed your progress, or stopped you altogether from getting something important done? When we let perfection rule, we overthink, we over plan, and we under DO. This hits close to home with me as I finish writing book number two. I’m REALLY close to completion but I’ve bogged myself down trying to get it just right. So, I’ve committed (by the end of November) to just get draft one imperfectly done. I can perfect during the edits right?!

This week, as you work to get it all done, trust that action will get you closer to perfection than thinking, planning and obsessing.

I’ve shared a re-boot video of this important topic below as a reminder to myself! Watch it or read the transcript below it and see what resonates with you.

A couple weeks ago I put out a challenge to you, to reset or amp up your work-life recharge objectives in the remaining weeks of this year. How’s that going? I hope you’re not overthinking it. Results don’t need perfection, they need action.

Hey, Michelle Cederberg here with your Weekly Work-Life Recharge suggesting that when it comes to achieving those goals, DONE is better than perfect.

Whether you’re hustling to crush year-end goals at work, or hoping to make some gains with your personal ones, success is measured by what you’ve accomplished, not by the big plans left undone. You know the saying…JUST DO IT! And when I get stuck, I say to myself: “Better to do something imperfectly than to do nothing flawlessly.” Can you say, ‘dream killer?’

Perfectionism can be stressful because you worry constantly about making everything just right. So, you don’t start, or if you do, you never finish because nothing is ever good enough. And that mindset robs you of ever feeling satisfied and fulfilled from your work. Not to mention what it’s doing for your productivity.

I know you want to do things right, and yes you could take another week to think through just the right plan of attack, or you could just do the freakin’ work (#DTFW). Here are a few tips to help you let go of perfectionism and step into action:

• Take time to consider whether the goal you set for yourself is the right one. If it’s not, give yourself permission to change it. If the goal is too big, if it’s someone else’s expectation of you but not your own, if it doesn’t truly excite you… change it so it does. Download my article, Add ART to Your SMART Goals michellecederberg.com which shares the right way to set thrilling, resonant goals that you can’t wait to crush!
• Pay attention to how you talk to yourself about your goals. “I’ll never get this done, I always drop the ball on stuff like this. I’m lazy and unmotivated.” Harsh and critical self-assessments reinforce perfectionism and procrastination. “Why bother cuz it never works out anyway?”

Instead, be kind to yourself. Remind yourself of what you’re good at, your past successes, and the progress you have made to date. When you focus on what’s working, you’re bound to get more of that. And if you make a mistake, don’t call it failure, call it research. Learn from it, course-correct, and keep going!

And when all else fails,

• Break down your goal into smaller steps. The best way to get there is to get started, and perfectionism has a way of weakening when you take action. Do what you can when you can, even if the steps are small. This is particularly important if you feel you don’t have the time. If you need a reminder about the value of small steps, watch this video.

Remember, imperfect progress is perfect and take that next small step.

You’ve got one chance to do this life, I say Dare to Live it Big, and dare to live it with a bit less perfection.

Michelle Cederberg, CSP, MKin, BA Psyc
CEP, CPCC, ORSC

Empowering today’s dreamers, leaders and go-getters to create the life and career they want.

www.michellecederberg.com
403-850-5589

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