Perfectionism Is The Mother Of Procrastination

I believe most of us are very bad at managing our time. We all love that ‘last minute’; in fact many of us would never get anything done if it wasn't for that ‘last minute’…

‘I will start the cleaning tomorrow’

 ‘I will start my assignment tomorrow’

‘I will start my diet tomorrow’ (just as you are eyeing up that delicious bar of chocolate!)

The inspiration for this topic came after I watched a video by Michael Hyatt (if you don’t know him – go check out his videos on YouTube.  You will love him!).  In which he stated that;

‘Perfectionism is the mother of procrastination’.

WOW.

This is probably one of the greatest quotes that I have ever come across in my entire 23 years of existence. For years I struggled with perfection (and being a Virgo doesn't help). I always felt like I could do and be better, that whatever I had achieved to date could be enhanced. Even during my school years if a project I completed had one silly mistake I would scrap it (quite literally) and start again from the beginning and I didn't care if that meant extra work.

Not only that but I was terrible for leaving things to the last minute! I believed that if I waited that little bit longer I would create better work. But I was wrong and there it was the mother of procrastination yelling at me constantly to put things off!

Now that I am a graduate and in full time work if I EVER attempt to put things off in fear of perfection, I quickly slap some sense into myself and start the project or task straight away. Because at the end of the day, it is much easier to start something whether that be a business venture, a blog post, a dance routine, a piece of artwork…whatever it may be, it’s always better to have something to work from where you can edit what you don’t like and improve on what you do like. Surely this is much more promising and rewarding than looking at a blank canvas for days having nothing to work on?

Do not and I repeat do not let the fear of perfection hold you back or keep you in the same position for too long! If you are presented with amazing opportunities take them and then worry about the outcome later and never ever delay something great because you worry that it will fail and it will waste your time. How do you know that? (Let me break it to you – you don’t know that!)

Grow and learn all the way to the top! Perfection is boring, it’s useless and it doesn't serve you! So start that assignment you have been putting off for weeks, go to the dance studio and improvise some moves, go get your paint brushes, go start your blog! Do whatever you got to do to just to START!

You have the choice to let perfection hold you back or you can go out and take a chance! I promise you won’t regret it!

Sj

 Stay curious  x

Do you have a story about a time when you delayed a project? Or do you disagree and think that perfection is a great way to work? Let me know! Share your thoughts and stories by commenting below! I can’t wait to hear from you!