Done is better than perfect… Because waiting for a perfect outcome or result keeps us stuck. Whether it’s launching your offer or course, sharing your message, or finally checking off a task for the upcoming Chag from your list…
Taking imperfect action leads to real results. Don’t aim for flawless. Aim for finished.
Now don’t get me wrong… It’s important to double-check for errors. It’s important to pay attention to detail. It’s important to be professional. The question is how much… and who gets to determine the standards. After all, who defines what “perfect” is? Maybe what looks perfect to me is sub-standard for you.
Does Procrastination or Perfectionism sound familiar to you?
Are they different elements or one of the same? Is there a relationship between them?
Procrastination is often a symptom of perfectionism. Perfectionists often fear being unable to complete a task perfectly, so instead they put it off as long as possible. The higher the fear of failure and ridicule, the more perfectionists procrastinate
So if we know we have the tendency to be a perfectionist or to procrastinate, why do we continue doing so, and what can we do to prevent or limit it?
In addition, is it really so bad to procrastinate or to be a perfectionist? Is there a “cost” involved?
Like with many elements in life, there are pros and cons to being a perfectionist.
Advantages of perfectionism: Yes it’s good to pay attention to detail. The output of our service or product will be more professional, of a higher standard, mistake-free (hopefully) and no doubt your client (or the end-user) will be satisfied and will think very highly of you. After all, they may not know how long you spent working on the item or how many times you revised it.
Disadvantages of perfectionism: Being a perfectionist means that everything takes longer. Your entire work cycle is extended and you may be late at “delivering the goods”. Never mind the additional stress involved in having to put other tasks aside as you’re so “fixated” on getting the job out “perfectly”. You may miss other deadlines as a result, and not all of the hours you spend on getting it “right” may be billable. Your overall productivity level decreases, and who says the output is really that much better. Your relationships may be affected and it affects your well-being.
There are three elements involved in preventing or limiting procrastination and perfectionism:
- Identify when it takes place
- Identify why it takes place
- Take action to prevent it
- Does it occur when you’re doing a particular activity? At a certain time of the day, week or month? When it’s related to a particular person?
2. Does it occur because we’re too distracted? Because we feel overwhelmed and have too much to do? Because we don’t know where to start & need assistance? Because we feel we’re not doing the job well enough? Because we have poor time management or organizational skills? Or because we’re simply not motivated to do the task, or don’t see value in it (someone else wants us to do it). All these are reasons why people procrastinate.
3. The good news is… Once you’ve identified when and why it happens, you then have the chance to try correct it by taking action.
If taking action means outsourcing or delegating part of the task to someone else, great! Just make the decision and do it! Often the “cost” of outsourcing saves you so much in production time that it’s a win-win situation. Yes, often the reason preventing us delegating a task is that we think (or know) we can do it better than another person… Once again, is done better than perfect?
Ask yourself the basic time management question – What is the best use of my time right now?
If we take care of tasks when they’re important, it’ll prevent the pressure and stress which usually arises when the task become urgent.
Many tips and techniques exist to manage your time better. There are also various apps which can help you overcome these challenges. Some of the many ideas include:
Pre-planning, Setting goals using the S.M.A.R.T. goal acronym *, Focusing on one task at a time, 15 – 20 minute time rule, Time blocking, Batching similar tasks together, Prioritizing (A,B,C rule *) and more… (* to be discussed in detail in a separate post).
Ask yourself right now… Am I managing my time, or am I letting my time manage me? Is Done better than Perfect? What can I check off my list right now to move forward?
© Lesley Kaplan is passionate about life and enhancing people & processes. As a Business Strategy, Branding & Goal-Achieving Coach, Consultant & Trainer, she has advised, trained and coached hundreds of business owners & organizations worldwide to success, by using tools, systems and marketing methods to improve their results, become more profitable, and to feel more in control of their business.
She is the Founder of the Israel Networking Hub – Facebook Group & Events – for business owners and nonprofits to connect, build relationships, network, and promote their services, events or products.
She facilitates monthly online Networking Forums and the in-person Netanya Women’s Networking & Development Group – both of which operate under the umbrella of the Israel Networking Hub. Events which attract Men and Women in Business from all areas of the country and abroad. Lesley is also the founder of the Monday Motivation Spotlight Podcast.
She is the author of “SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS TOOLBOX & GUIDE: HOW TO BUILD & BRAND YOUR BIZ” and “POWER TALKS WITH WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS”