Perfectionism Self-Sabotage
This is always a struggle for me. Writing. My fear of coming across dull, unimaginative, long-winded and potentially even dumb.
I know deep down that as a person I'm none of those things. I know what I really am, is an individual who cares about the impression I leave of myself with others.
Unfortunately, from what I've been learning, you can care too much!
Have you ever heard the saying, "all things in moderation"?
Think about drug or alcohol addiction. Addicts are, by definition, people who use drugs and/or alcohol TOO MUCH! Moderation doesn't exist in the addicted mind. Addicts are seeking that perfect (yet always illusive) high. And in doing so, they're self-sabotaging.
There is no such thing as a perfect high for an addict because there will always, ALWAYS, be a very present low to follow. The lows negate any chance of achieving the "perfect high" since you can't have one without the other. Perfection isn't possible.
This is why, as I see it, someone who cares too much, is, in some ways, similar to an addict.
If we care too much about perfection in our work, our writing, etc., that it stifles our progress, leading to the inevitable low that comes with realizing you're not getting done what needs to be done, we're Self-Sabotaging.
Perfection isn't possible. Especially for addicts but also for those who care TOO MUCH.
So from this moment on, my intention is to write my copy as a flawed human being who cares a lot about what my readers think but not so much that I fail to publish what I think.
To your success. And mine. :-)
Ellen
Recent Comments
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I grew up being a perfectionist at most every thing I attempted to do. Being a perfectionist helped me excel as a young Mfg Engineer and Manager, including being responsible for my company's Quality Control program.
My habit and tendency to be a perfectionist has not helped me here at WA. So I am committed to being a "recovering perfectionist" when it comes to creating content.
SEO requires that we become "content machines" and for me that means allowing myself to avoid writing perfection in favor of becoming a good "volume" writer. I'm a work in progress.
Sounds like we have something more in common, Dennis. I'm a work in progress too.
Thank you for commenting.
I think, to your point, if you write what you care about and write it honestly, you will come across more authentically. Over time, your readers will see that and trust you as a result. Good luck!
Yes, of course.
My point though really wasn't about being worried readers wouldn't find my writing authentic or trustworthy. It was about perfectionism and how it can lead to self-sabotage... as in wasting precious time attempting to write perfectly constructed copy.
Thanks for your comment.
You are going to be great. the best thing you can do for yourself right now in my opinion is, start writing, and make sure to be yourself! yes you should have in mind that you want another stranger to enjoy what you write. so don't right about disgusting tings... but if you right naturally, that is if you let Ellen right the post... then they/we the audience will get something no one else in the world has to offer… your prospective on things!
your gonna be great!
Sincerely,
Shlomo J
Thank you so very much, Shlomo. Great advice! Not just for me but for anyone writing for their own blog/website. Be uniquely YOU and you'll be fine. :-)
Perfectionism hurt us sometime when we want to achieve thing in life. We don't have to perfect just focus on having fun and enjoying what we love. Fear has no place here. Thanks
Thanks for commenting, Anthony. You're right. We have nothing to fear - but fear itself, under these circumstances. It is something those of us who struggle must strive to overcome in our own way - in our own time.
Thanks for an honest and enlightening post, Ellen. We tend to put way too much pressure on ourselves instead of just acknowledging our fears and doing it anyway.
That's a great way to put it, Step. Acknowledge your fears but don't allow them to keep you from doing what you want/need to do.
Thanks for commenting.
Oops I deleted my comment when I was trying to edit it. This is a great post and perfectionism is like being an addict I agree. It can stop progress in its tracks. Thanks for shedding light on this issue
Thanks Peter and you're welcome.
Yep, sometimes you gotta leave well enough alone. It can be tough. Especially when you re-read your copy and find typos, misspellings, etc. That edit button starts flashing and all of a sudden you're re-writing everything - or worse. ;-)
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I'm a perfectionist too, especially when it comes to writing. But I finally understand from watching the training that for this kind of writing (content writing for profit) perfection has to be defined differently. It is about writing "good enough" content that expresses your passion, attracts readers and buyers, and builds your business. Good luck to you!
Thanks, Jennifer. That's what I'm learning. :)
I also like to share my writing with friends and family, but if I do that too much with "content" it becomes a problem, as I want to appear the "perfect writer" to people who know me well. Probably better to save my affiliate website for unknown buyers who find me through Google searches and are more interested in the substance than the style, at least to a point. It's not easy for me - someone who can easily spend an hour perfecting a paragraph if I let myself.
LOL Sounds familiar. I'm truly terrible about this perfectionism thing and like you, Jennifer, I find it difficult to get past it. I write slowly and delete often. I am working on it though.
Something I'd like to do, is get involved in reviewing others website, posts, etc., through WA, to earn credits for having my own "stuff" reviewed later but I'm honestly a little worried that my perfectionism will turn people off - or worse... p*ss them off!
I'd never be outright rude but I'm a "call it as I see it" type of gal and I'm afraid I might come across as being cold or too blunt.
I thought about deleting what I just wrote two times!
For me, I guess, it's not really about people thinking I'm a perfect writer. Is there such a thing? But more so about not getting it, whatever I'm writing about, wrong. If that makes sense?
Anyway, thanks for your feedback, Jennifer. Greatly appreciated!
Have an awesome day and happy holidays.
I understand about not wanting to get things wrong; that's part of the perfectionism too. Everything you wrote above is great. Glad you didn't delete it. You seem to be a diplomatic person and just the fact that you don't want to upset others with your criticism will probably help you chose the right tone to avoid offense. Good luck to you and happy holidays! Jen