How to Overcome Being a Perfectionist? (Don't be Me!)
I created my new site. I bought the domain. I got the three basic plugins I'm using to begin with set up. I set up email. I wrote an about me page.
I STILL can't get the theme right. GARGH!!!
I keep changing it because something happens that makes me change it. I'm being a perfectionist, again.
How to Overcome Being a Perfectionist?
Honestly, I'm not sure. I feel the need to double check and try sixty different themes to be sure I have the exact right one I want. That has literally taken me two days. Two days and I've got one About Me post.
Again... I could just scream.
So I stopped. I just made myself stop.
So the secret to overcoming being a perfectionist?
- Recognize you're being a perfectionist and nitpicking
- Just STOP. However far you are, just stop there. Stop and pick that one you're on, send the message, etc. Just stop it. Last draft, last delete, last choice.
- Remember, you can fix mistakes later.
Does this really work?
Well... kind of. I have to realize that I'm nitpicking and trying to be perfect.
It's the most frustrating thing. Being a perfectionist is such a low productive behavior, I can't even begin to tell you how much time I waste trying to make the perfect text message, or blog post, or theme pick, or whatever.
Every single day, there's always something.
In order to stop a behavior, you have to first recognize the behavior. It's such a bad habit of mine that I sometimes spend hours before I realize what I'm doing.
This is One of My Goals for July
One of my July goals is going to be recognizing it better. I hope. I'm probably going to do work with a timer for a while. It'll force me to recognize time passing I think and might enable me to focus on the important stuff more.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Lovies!
Recent Comments
18
I do get annoyed with myself when I see a theme that would work better with one of my sites, but for now, I put up with what I have got.
Derek
I can relate, unfortunately. I still do it all the time.
On the theme though, I have to say that going with a professional theme like Generatepress, or Divi is well worth it.
Cheers,
Michael
I will try out your suggestions! I'm trying to find a good theme I love because I'll eventually buy the pro version, but it needs to be just right!
But I'm being nutty about it. Oy.
Loved the bat! Actually, picking a good theme is a challenge, and worth obsessing over, because you'll be stuck with it for a long time!
It is, definitely as I'm looking for one that I can go Pro when I'm ready, but man, I think my head is going to explode messing with themes.
I am a perfectionist and I had to just stop! It did work in some areas. It has given me more time to do other things. We can change anything with repeated work on it.
Laura
I'm hoping so! I'm better with it than I used to be in some aspects of life, but... some not so much!
Ok, thats a deal. I will follow your suggestions. I get upset if things don't go my way. OCD perfectionist is my name and I need to stop also. My elderly Mom is flying in town next week for ten days, more OCD preparation to do to get ready for her visit. Maybe I should do a timer too on my iPhone. Thanks for the tips.
A timer would definitely help, especially if you're like me and don't realize you're nitpicking for a bit.
There's something called the Pormordo technique that has 25 minute blocks of productivity and 5 minute breaks. It's a productivity hack with the idea small breaks will help keep one focused the rest of the time. I'm trying that one first. They make chrome extensions with it even!! :)
I just got to remember to set it!
Yes I saw that the other day about Pormordo technique for productivity. I never used it myself so not sure how effective that will work for me. I do not use Chrome. Use Safari and Firefox for private browsing. Wish you the best in using that technique.
Thank you! I'm only considering it because of the timers. I don't have problems focusing, I have problems obsessing over small details and I won't even realize it until I notice I haven't gotten enough done. So hopefully, it'll help me notice time passing.
They do have apps, too btw. We'll see. I haven't sat down to work yet :)
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Thanks for the share. I can't get no satisfaction. I have tried so many themes, messed up so many times. But I still keep trying just to step it up a notch.
Michael
You'll get there! I just don't want to theme hop, but so many do weird things and I want perfect. Sigh.