The best advice I've found, especially as a perfectionist. As someone who always strives for flawlessness, I've realized this mindset can often hold me back. It's easy to get caught up in making everything just right, but that can lead to never finishing projects or, worse, never starting them. This advice reminds me to focus on completion rather than perfection. It's about making progress and not letting the fear of imperfection paralyze you. You can always refine and improve something once it exists, but you can't improve what you haven't created yet. It's about striking a balance between quality and actually getting things done
Jul 17, 2024
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I still struggle with perfectionism, but I've found that outside of VERY specific academic contexts (which no longer apply to me now that I'm out of school), done is better than good. Having a product that is 80-99% of the way there is usually enough for whatever it is you're doing. NOTHING needs to be perfect, because perfection is, quite frankly, unobtainable. In academia, the consequences for late/incomplete work were FAR greater than submitting something that wasn't "perfect."
I know it's easier said than done, but as soon as you start judging your work on a scale of "doneness" rather than "perfection" you can figure out how you work, and from there you can approach projects with new efficiency, and eventually your work will be both done AND good. Both good enough to submit, and good enough to be proud of. Don't hold yourself to the impossible standards, and you'll be alright!
1d ago
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Oftentimes, perfectionism prevents us from starting that project or taking that first step forward. We’re afraid the output is going to be crap. One thing that helps to take the pressure off is just making that your goal, or making the output bad on purpose. Getting started is the hard part. Go ahead and put yourself in the mindset of a hack. Chances are, you are better at whatever you’re trying to do than you think you are.
Once you have a draft version, unless you truly DGAF, your brain will naturally motivate you to make gradual improvements until it’s something you can live with.
Mar 16, 2025
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set a timer for yourself to do the thing you've been procrastinating for five minutes. then work up to 10, 15, etc.
i often feel way better after I Do The Thing. the procrastination part is usually just dreading getting started, but once you do the task tends to go by quickly, esp if you put on music or a TV show in the background. calling a friend or just having them in the room to body double is helpful as well if you are of the ADHD persuasion.
i totally understand the fear of failure though - i often let wanting things to be "perfect" get in the way of "good enough". not that you should half-ass things, but go a little easier on yourself. i'm sure whatever project you're working on will turn out 10X better than you think it will. best of luck xx
Mar 15, 2025
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My grandpa once told me:
"Live a worthy life. What makes a life worthy is something only you can define for yourself. So, live a life that feels meaningful to you, as long as it does not prevent others from living theirs. Don't let others define what a worthy life means for you. If for you, a worthy life means building a large family, build it; if it means earning a billion dollars, pursue that goal with all your might; if it means making as many memories as you can, go ahead; if it means being religious and praising God, do so. Live your worthy life and ignore anyone who tells you otherwise."
I couldn't find this quote anywhere so I think it was his own wisdom. Rest in Peace grandpa❤️
Jun 8, 2024
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If my body isn't a temple, it's definitely a startup company. Full of ideas that seem great at 2 AM, operates on caffeine and questionable decisions, and isn't profitable (yet)
Jun 11, 2024
