I think there's a big push lately to just do it. Get it done and check it off the list. It may well be the best way b/c I've seen people flounder and never do a thing b/c they can't figure out (or do) it the best way. But your essay is exactly right: we really DO want those neurosurgeons and pilots to not cut corners!
Thank you for this exploration. The strange thing is that the better we are at what we do, the more likely we'll suffer this tendency. We become more critical of our work and works. We want to refine things, but the outcome ends up being an unhealthy obsession with the perfect.
This message is even more fitting for people on here who are skilled at what they do. It is they who are likely to be dissatisfied with anything but the absolute best. However, as you rightly point out, the absolute best does not exist.
There's only doing and improving. The notion of the perfect is the trap that will ensnare us into inaction.
I felt inspired to start writing publicly two years ago, but I wanted everything to be perfect first. Haha, guess how that turned out? I paid for the website and hired someone to design the logo, but I never wrote a single thing. I almost let that happen again with Substack, but this time, I was determined to just start without everything being perfect. And I'm so happy I did! Now I'm writing and connecting, which was the whole point. I still have many areas to improve, and I appreciate the discussion! Thanks, Tinashe.
Thank you for sharing this Jenn, I am glad you decided to "do it any away". We are a work in progress so we will improve step by step. Thanks for being here :-).
The timing of this! This is the topic of my next All Five Cups blog to be released on the 15th. We must be on the same wavelength. I’m here for it. 😊
I so, so, so appreciate you sharing this because we forget that perfect isn’t even real. For some of us, it’s a trauma response or trigger. I love that you are advocating for completion and wholeness over frustration and stagnation. I think this is especially important for artists to remember because we can often hide our work because of the fears associated with perfection.
Thank you!! I think our beautiful Universe is encouraging us to get out of our heads, share and connect. 🙌🏻🙌🏻
I am here, for it as well, looking forward to reading yours on the 15th.
The paralysis of demanding perfection from the start versus embracing an iterative process of reaching a sufficient stage. Perfectionists ironically recognize nothing is truly perfect, underscoring the wisdom of relentless refinement over unrealistic expectations.
Agreed, we are being encouraged to get our heads together, share, and connect Bri. Thank you for engaging, I appreciate you :-).
Paralysis is such an important word to sum up what perfectionism does. It'll stale our dreams like nothing else. A one way ticket on a train that'll never arrive.
Thank you for your kind words. I love your blog! Thank you for sharing.
In writing there's always pain and it's always a matter of being quite pedestrian, a matter of social welfare, social change, and social responsibilities. Therefore, it's our way of writing that we try to make this world a better place.
By accepting imperfection, writers can focus on progressing social welfare and responsibilities rather than an unattainable, perfectionistic ideal. Writing to make a genuine impact matters most. Thank you for engaging Marcus and sharing that perspective.
Perfectionism, my old friend. Great post, Tinashe. It reminded me of Anne Lamont’s words - “Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life,..”
I’m a closet perfectionist. Most people who know me would laugh at the idea of me being a perfectionist, but for me, it shows up internally, as putting pressure on myself, striving for more (love that school of life video) and never being quite satisfied. Our obsession with perfection truly does trap us, as we run towards a destination that just keeps getting further away!
i started my substack by just jumping in and deciding that I can fix and edit later, and that the best way to learn and grow was just to get in there and do it. i love this post, thank you for writing it!
Perfectionism? It's a double-edged sword, my friend. On one hand, it drives you to push boundaries, to strive for excellence. But on the other, it can trap you in a never-ending quest for flawlessness, paralyzing your creativity. So, where do you draw the line between striving for greatness and letting go of perfection? - btw, I needed to read this today!
Having a goal to do your best is good. But being too focused on making everything perfect can actually stop you from getting things done. The balance allows you to keep moving forward.
Thank you for sharing this perspective and engaging Mohika.
This is an excellent message, Tinashe! I agree with you, striving for excellence is great, but getting stuck in the "perfection trap" can hinder progress and lead to unnecessary stress. Thanks for the reminder to embrace imperfection—it's where the real growth happens!
This is a refreshing take on a problem I think many of us suffer from! Breaking the vicious cycle of perfectionism can be so hard – acknowledging that it does more harm than good is a necessary part of breaking the cycle. The way I try to approach everything now is not by trying to aim for the arbitrary idea of 'perfect', but by applying myself and, at the end of the day, being content with the idea that I have given as much of myself as I could manage in the moment. I think our personal resources like motivation and inspiration fluctuate anyway, it's impossible to always be fully stocked with both. Great work, Tinashe 😊
Agreed, Leah. The key is striking a balance , putting in effort without being paralyzed by perfection. Breaking big goals into smaller, manageable steps. Celebrate completing each step, while remembering motivation levels naturally fluctuate. This step-by-step approach, focused on progress over perfection. Thank you for engaging , I appreciate you :-).
'But what about feeling content before everything is perfect?'
This point particularly resonated with me. This lack of contentment that some of us feel is a serious issue that we need to confront and deal with.
If not dealt with, it will worsen and cause us much stress and frustration.
Agreed, I had to overcome this as well.
Thank you for engaging Raveen, I appreciate your insight.
I think there's a big push lately to just do it. Get it done and check it off the list. It may well be the best way b/c I've seen people flounder and never do a thing b/c they can't figure out (or do) it the best way. But your essay is exactly right: we really DO want those neurosurgeons and pilots to not cut corners!
Being able to tell the difference is key.
Thank you for engaging Jeanine :-).
Thank you for this exploration. The strange thing is that the better we are at what we do, the more likely we'll suffer this tendency. We become more critical of our work and works. We want to refine things, but the outcome ends up being an unhealthy obsession with the perfect.
This message is even more fitting for people on here who are skilled at what they do. It is they who are likely to be dissatisfied with anything but the absolute best. However, as you rightly point out, the absolute best does not exist.
There's only doing and improving. The notion of the perfect is the trap that will ensnare us into inaction.
You point out an interesting paradox - the more skilled we are, the more likely we are to get trapped by perfectionism.
For talented people, it's easy to obsess over making things absolutely perfect, which can just lead to not getting anything done.
It is important to keep improving step-by-step instead of getting stuck starting.
Thank you for sharing your insightful commentary here Patrick, it is appreciated, brother.
I felt inspired to start writing publicly two years ago, but I wanted everything to be perfect first. Haha, guess how that turned out? I paid for the website and hired someone to design the logo, but I never wrote a single thing. I almost let that happen again with Substack, but this time, I was determined to just start without everything being perfect. And I'm so happy I did! Now I'm writing and connecting, which was the whole point. I still have many areas to improve, and I appreciate the discussion! Thanks, Tinashe.
Thank you for sharing this Jenn, I am glad you decided to "do it any away". We are a work in progress so we will improve step by step. Thanks for being here :-).
The timing of this! This is the topic of my next All Five Cups blog to be released on the 15th. We must be on the same wavelength. I’m here for it. 😊
I so, so, so appreciate you sharing this because we forget that perfect isn’t even real. For some of us, it’s a trauma response or trigger. I love that you are advocating for completion and wholeness over frustration and stagnation. I think this is especially important for artists to remember because we can often hide our work because of the fears associated with perfection.
Thank you!! I think our beautiful Universe is encouraging us to get out of our heads, share and connect. 🙌🏻🙌🏻
I am here, for it as well, looking forward to reading yours on the 15th.
The paralysis of demanding perfection from the start versus embracing an iterative process of reaching a sufficient stage. Perfectionists ironically recognize nothing is truly perfect, underscoring the wisdom of relentless refinement over unrealistic expectations.
Agreed, we are being encouraged to get our heads together, share, and connect Bri. Thank you for engaging, I appreciate you :-).
Paralysis is such an important word to sum up what perfectionism does. It'll stale our dreams like nothing else. A one way ticket on a train that'll never arrive.
Thank you for your kind words. I love your blog! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for the kind words, they are a reminder of why we are on this journey, Bri.
Yes, " analysis paralysis", the bane of so many of us, including me!
In writing there's always pain and it's always a matter of being quite pedestrian, a matter of social welfare, social change, and social responsibilities. Therefore, it's our way of writing that we try to make this world a better place.
By accepting imperfection, writers can focus on progressing social welfare and responsibilities rather than an unattainable, perfectionistic ideal. Writing to make a genuine impact matters most. Thank you for engaging Marcus and sharing that perspective.
Happy Sunday Tinashe.
Same to you Marcus :-)
Over here practicing being okay, not perfect 🤍
I like that perspective Caroline, thank you for commenting and being here :-).
This is amazing ❤️
Thank you for the kind words Paolo, I am glad to have you here.
Perfectionism, my old friend. Great post, Tinashe. It reminded me of Anne Lamont’s words - “Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life,..”
Thank you for the kind words Priya, such a beautiful quote.
Autocorrect seems to have changed Lamott to Lamont.
You have to love auto-correct :-)
I’m a closet perfectionist. Most people who know me would laugh at the idea of me being a perfectionist, but for me, it shows up internally, as putting pressure on myself, striving for more (love that school of life video) and never being quite satisfied. Our obsession with perfection truly does trap us, as we run towards a destination that just keeps getting further away!
The video is cool.
The constant pressure to be perfect, never feeling good enough, it's an endless trap. Recognizing this is the first step.
I am glad it resonates Hannah, thank you for engaging and being here :-).
I love the tip about reframing thoughts! Altering the way you speak to yourself can make a huge difference.
I am glad it resonates Eva, thank you for engaging :-).
Love reading your articles Nash !!!! Such insight !!!! Keep on sharing xxx
I am glad it resonates Jen, glad to have you here.
i started my substack by just jumping in and deciding that I can fix and edit later, and that the best way to learn and grow was just to get in there and do it. i love this post, thank you for writing it!
Same here , that is the approach to starting.
I am glad it resonates Elizabeth, glad to have you here :-).
<3
Perfectionism? It's a double-edged sword, my friend. On one hand, it drives you to push boundaries, to strive for excellence. But on the other, it can trap you in a never-ending quest for flawlessness, paralyzing your creativity. So, where do you draw the line between striving for greatness and letting go of perfection? - btw, I needed to read this today!
Finding the middle ground is important.
Having a goal to do your best is good. But being too focused on making everything perfect can actually stop you from getting things done. The balance allows you to keep moving forward.
Thank you for sharing this perspective and engaging Mohika.
This is an excellent message, Tinashe! I agree with you, striving for excellence is great, but getting stuck in the "perfection trap" can hinder progress and lead to unnecessary stress. Thanks for the reminder to embrace imperfection—it's where the real growth happens!
Thank you for engaging Mo, I am glad to have you here.
This is a refreshing take on a problem I think many of us suffer from! Breaking the vicious cycle of perfectionism can be so hard – acknowledging that it does more harm than good is a necessary part of breaking the cycle. The way I try to approach everything now is not by trying to aim for the arbitrary idea of 'perfect', but by applying myself and, at the end of the day, being content with the idea that I have given as much of myself as I could manage in the moment. I think our personal resources like motivation and inspiration fluctuate anyway, it's impossible to always be fully stocked with both. Great work, Tinashe 😊
Agreed, Leah. The key is striking a balance , putting in effort without being paralyzed by perfection. Breaking big goals into smaller, manageable steps. Celebrate completing each step, while remembering motivation levels naturally fluctuate. This step-by-step approach, focused on progress over perfection. Thank you for engaging , I appreciate you :-).