My name is Louise and I’m a perfectionist! There, I’ve admitted it publicly. Oh, I’m much better than I used to be but, even though I’ve tried just about every tip in the book, those perfectionist tendencies still pop up uninvited and slow me down.
Interestingly I have very successfully managed to relinquish any trace of perfectionism when it comes to doing the housework 
However, when it comes to my business, there are two ways that this curse manifests itself:
It Stops me from Starting
I always think I need to know more and have the urge to gather more and more resources before embarking on a new project. Whether it’s preparing for a free teleclass, creating a new information product or writing a coaching program – I never quite feel ready to start.
Some years ago, I actually delayed starting to coach clients until I’d taken one more accreditation, then attended one more workshop. Goodness knows how long this state of affairs would have lasted if a fellow coach hadn’t given me a good shake when he said: “For goodness’ sake Louise, you know enough, just start NOW!” So I did and the rest, as they say, is history.
It Stops me from Finishing
What’s wrong with wanting to make an excellent product, deliver a memorable talk or be a truly great coach? Absolutely nothing, providing that the desire to make it perfect doesn’t get in the way of actually delivering the goods!
The problem in my case, is because I keep comparing my work in progress with other people’s finished and very polished products. Like a child in a sweet shop, I want to add this bell and that whistle to my offering. Then it would be perfect. And so it goes on. Put simply, I cannot seem to resist making just one last tweak! And then one more ….
Deep down I know that perfection won’t be achieved as a result of such complicated thinking and that my quest for it is holding me back. So I continue to simplify and declutter because, in the words of aviator and writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry:
“Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.”
How about you? Please tell me I’m not alone in being ‘cursed’ this way?
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PA Perfectionist anonymous. Thats whats stopping me getting my website up on running. Cant get it perfect and polished enough and yet when i think about it rationally I’m the one setting the standards I am the judge,jury and defendant lol
You know what after reading this by the end of the week it’ll be done and dusted.
Thanks Louise
I forgot My name is Oge and i am a perfectionist too
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Hi Oge – I look forward to visiting your website next week!! One thing I’ve found since putting this site together and publishing at the beginning of the year, is that a website is never finally finished …
Thanks for sharing Oge
Louise
Hi Louise,
Interesting post. The curse of perfectionism is that we just never seem to get there – and we never acknowlege that as being good enough. And so the pressure and desire mounts for the next time.
Some words of wisdom from the Tao; “The master accomplishes much without doing”.
Hi Des
Glad you found this post interesting. As you rightly say, the curse of perfectionism is that it is a never-ending journey.