You Don’t Have to Be Perfect

Have you ever felt this way:  you're good at something in your business and you know it, but deep down every time you do this task you feel it has to be absolutely perfect?  Now to everyone else it's fine but to you, it can always be better.  You spend days and weeks working on it only to look up months later and it still isn't done?

This is a sure sign of perfectionism.  Perfectionism is a great way to self-sabotage your success and productivity.  Often perfectionism is used as a way to avoid doing something else we need to do that we don't think we're quite as good at.  It's also an excellent way to avoid releasing your work to the world maybe because you're a bit fearful that it'll be rejected, discounted, etc.

Step 4 in The Work It Mama! Coaching SystemTM talks about getting organized which is not going to happen if you insist on being a perfectionist.  For example did you know by continually doing the same task over and over again without it ever being completed, you're in essence creating "busy work"?  Well you are and that's a huge no-no for any Momprenuer.

With all the responsibilities you have in your business, you shouldn't spend more time than absolutely necessary on any one task.  Your goal should be to start and finish every project quickly but also completely and satisfactory.  Don't waste your time on projects and other commitments you don't plan to ever let go and be done with.

Instead try this if you find you can't seem to get anything done:

1.  Establish a deadline for everything from your newsletter to your marketing plan

2.  Build in multiple ways of reminding yourself of your deadline for example put entries on your calendar, use post-it notes, even schedule some type of celebratory event

3.  Break the task down into smaller parts and do a certain part on a certain day (try to limit this to only 1 part per day/week as necessary)

4.  Tell someone else about your project and when you plan to have it finished (sometimes it helps if we know someone else is going to ask us about it)

5.  Do something special once each part of the project is completed (something as simple as treating yourself to a Chai Tea will really motivate you)

6.  Stick to your deadline (no matter how much you want to change or "fix" allow yourself to be DONE on the date of your deadline, you can always do an updated version later)

To really move forward you HAVE to commit to doing what's necessary even if it's a bit uncomfortable.  That's when you grow and changes really happen.

It's also when you find you're able to be more productive and helps you ease up and not be so hard on yourself.  Not to mention all the other things you'll now be able to get done.

Here is Your Assignment:

Write down three projects/tasks you want to have completed in the next month.  Next try to break each one down into smaller tasks that can be done each week.  Decide to let things go and don't spend your time re-doing these things.  Each day write down how it felt/feels to no try to be perfect and to actually get something DONE.

If you find you need a bit of help getting past perfectionism, send me an email at Quiana@QuianaMurray.com and I'll give you the gentle nudge you need.