Letting go of perfectionism ... not quite yet!
For many people the challenge is writers block. I am lucky (or cursed), I could sit and write for hours. Words come out freely. The problem is I want to be perfect. So I go back and I edit, and edit, and then edit again. Before you know it - I am so frustrated that is doesn't sound right or look right or whatever that I either refuse to publish the page or worse, I delete the work all together.
The questions is: how to let go and realize that perfect is not whats required? After all, pick up any book and you can find a typo. Heck - I am far from perfect in my daily life, so why do I need my website to be perfect?
Yet, somehow I worry who will judge me. I am concerned that if my site is not "perfect" (whatever that means) than I won't be trusted, which ultimately means my site won't convert they way I had intended. Ridiculous I know ... intellectually I know that if I am honest and truthful in my message, I will connect with my audience and achieve my desired results. Still .... perfection is like a 1000 lb weight on my shoulders.
Do you hear it? The little voice ? Do you have one too? I would love to know that someone else has this same battle they are fighting. Better yet, has someone else found the secret and gotten over it? Please, let me know how! Thanks :-)
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Don't listen to the little voice , it will certainly not help lol.
I don't know if this will help either, though - do not write for your own level of perfection, instead write for our audiences. If you are writing for the 'Oxford English Professors Literature' site, then it may be wise to be a little particular. If you are not, then don't be so hard on your work.
I have a stick-it note on my wall to help me with this issue. It has 2 words & a symbol in between;
Perfectionism = Procrastination
Trust your 2nd/3rd draft I feel. Don't over think your work, or it will not sound natural (or worse, never get published).
Best action,
d
Thanks Damien - I like your post-it note idea :-)
I will be adding one to my computer in big red letters!
Dont waste your time on perfection. Just get it out there. Take action. You can always edit later. In fact, some of the best money making blogs look terrible, but they work. You can never reach the nirvana of perfection anyway. One man's perfection is another's folly. Just do it. Get it done and move on.
I am the same will re-write and drive myself mad so if I am happy with what I have written and there are no typo's. spelling mistakes or poor grammar will leave it and post it... People need to know we are human and quite like them..
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Yes!!! Honestly this is not a word of a lie.. at my own mothers funeral I wrote and read her epitaph in church. Where we live we have what is known as a Geordie accent and can speak quite colloquially. We say "me" instead of my for instance and Mam for Mother when talking so My Mother would be Me Mam if you get what I mean..
So I'm standing in church and I actually apologised to everyone for my English not being grammatically correct!! Can you believe that? My friend, who knew me well said afterwards, "I knew as soon as you said it you were going to apologise."
Well, I couldnt call her by her Sunday name at her own funeral could I?It just wouldn't have been right because to me and my brothers and sisters, she was Me Mam!
I am not grieving any more so I hope this story has made you smile!
Maria :-)
Thanks for sharing your story Maria - I am working on letting go every day! Here's to both of us trusting in the fact that we are really quite perfect exactly as we are :-)