Being a perfectionist is like to be married to the logical side of your brain.
It is not easy to present your work knowing that you can do it better and be better. However, the perfection is limitless, and we can only aim for it but never reach. Perfectionism is about reaching something that doesn’t exist.
As a result, you waste your time and eventually bury your creation as simply “it can be better” or “not good enough”. Because of your logic that acts like block, you refuse yourself an entry to move ahead.
To me personally, perfectionism is not a form of my character trait (although, I can be wrong). I look at it as a defensive mechanism that doesn’t let me go vulnerable or exposed. It is easier to shelter yourself under “well, it is not perfect” comment than meet truth and/or criticism.
There are two ways to avoid it:
Look at the criticism as a tool that makes you or your work better. Even if it is not what you wanted to hear, you can always look at things from the different angle.
Seek constructive criticism. Therefore, it is so important to surround yourself with people that make you grow (as mentioned in previous blogs).
This is a big one. I never considered myself a perfectionist. I hate it. However, even I discovered that I have perfectionist traits that stop me from the growth.
For example, I love to say things such as “there is always a room for improvement”. It is right; however, it is another stopper – if there is a room for improvement, you will keep polishing your job until it stops having any meaning. “The perfectionist calls this humility. In reality, it is egotism.”
We don’t need this unnecessary pride in writing PERFECT scripts, plays, performances. Life is a journey.
Letting go and let your work/art/creatives/idea live and breathe – this is what makes you grow and create things that might build a great foundation for your legacy.
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