Overcoming Perfectionism

I've uploaded 800+ YouTube videos since 2017. But it took me 7 years to upload my first video. I thought I needed the perfect plan - that if I waited and prepared for long enough, I'd feel ready. Perfect content strategy. Perfect production quality. Perfect camera confidence. So when I read about the pottery class paradox, it hit home. A ceramics teacher split his class into two groups. Group A had to make one perfect pot in 30 days. Group B had to make as many pots in 30 days. At the end of the month, the teacher judged the quality of the pots. Without exception, every one of the most beautiful and well-made pots came from Group B - the quantity group. For me too, the moment I shifted to just making one video every week no matter what, everything changed. My writing started flowing better.  My editing got better through repetition. I developed better instincts for what worked. 800+ uploads later, I still fall into perfectionist habits sometimes. But I try to trick my brain into starting. I ask "What would this look like if it were fun?" I tell myself, "Just record - no need to publish." I focus on serving others, not protecting my ego. And once I hit record and start talking, the creative spirit moves within me, even when the process feels messy. P.S. If you want more insights on productivity and overcoming perfectionism, I share my best thinking here 👉 https://lnkd.in/e5cMJJ5k

2019: I quit creating content on YouTube because it wasn't "perfect." Looking back, I cringe at the opportunities I've lost chasing perfection. That perfectionist mindset? It cost me time, money, and growth. I'd spend hours tweaking a video, never hitting publish. Why? It wasn't "good enough." But here's the truth: done is better than perfect. While I was polishing pixels, others were building audiences, making connections, and growing their brands. My pursuit of perfection left me stuck at the starting line. Three big lessons I've learned: 1. Embrace the messy middle  Your first tries won't be your best. That's okay. It's part of the process. 2. Feedback beats perfection You learn more from publishing and getting real feedback than from endless tweaking. 3. Progress over perfection Small, consistent steps forward beat waiting for the "perfect" moment to start. Now, I focus on progress, not perfection. I hit publish, even when it's not 100% perfect. And guess what? The world didn't end. In fact, it opened up. Remember: If you're tired of starting over, stop giving up. Your "imperfect" action today beats your "perfect" plan tomorrow. #growthmindset

Once upon a time, in a world not unlike our own, there was a belief. A belief so captivating, yet so misleading. It whispered of perfection. Perfectionism promises greatness. But often, it leaves you stranded in a sea of anxiety, overwhelmed, feeling like a failure. Welcome to the Perfection Paradox. Ironically, chasing perfection makes excellence an impossible dream. Where does this mindset stem from? Two beliefs: Perfection is possible and the ultimate goal. Perfection is the sole path to success and worthiness. But here's the twist. These beliefs are toxic. They create a pressure cooker of fear - fear of failure, chronic procrastination, loss of joy and perspective. So, how do we escape this paradox? Question these perfectionist beliefs. Do we really need flawlessness to succeed or feel worthy? Is perfection realistic for humans? Often, the answer is a resounding no. Consider the story of Instagram. It started as Burbn, a cluttered, over-ambitious app. Only when the founders embraced imperfection, focusing on one imperfect feature – photo sharing, did Instagram emerge. Imperfect beginnings, leading to extraordinary outcomes. Or take J.K. Rowling, rejected by 12 publishers before Harry Potter saw the light. Her imperfections in those manuscripts? They didn't define her future. Perfection is a myth. It's the mask of fear, wearing the disguise of ambition. Success isn't about being faultless. It's about being fearless in the face of your faults. It's about progress, not perfection. The key lies in adaptive perfectionism - striving for excellence, but being flexible, learning from failures, and valuing the journey. The flawed diamond is often more intriguing than the perfect pebble. Remember, the beauty of the human experience lies in imperfection. Our flaws, our stumbles, they make our stories worth telling. So, dare to be imperfect. In that imperfection, you'll find your true path to success and joy. Your legacy isn't in the flawless execution of your plans. It's in the beautifully imperfect journey you undertake. Embrace your imperfections. Therein lies your true perfection.

I need to get better at being worse at my job. Here’s why: I hate making mistakes. I have unreasonably high standards. And (I cringe to type this) I just want to be the best at everything I do. If reading that made you tired, you’re right: perfectionism is exhausting. Maintaining constant high standards takes time and emotional commitment and causes stress. Just as bad is that perfectionism interferes with my relationships. I tend to hold those around me to the same high standards (MY standards, not THEIRS). So when they (reasonably) fail to meet the standards, I can get resentful and impatient. My creativity suffers too. When I’m focused on being the best, I get way too “heads down” and miss what’s happening around me. I know this perfectionist habit will not be easy to break, but I’m determined to start the process by asking myself these five questions: 1. How can I make this task less stressful? ➡️ Rather than “how can I do this perfectly?” I’m asking, “what could I do to make this easier?” For example, I’ve started giving myself time limits for how long I’ll work on a project, or outsourcing parts of it to others. 2. Is that mistake the end of the world? ➡️ I guarantee it’s not. So stop pretending it is (Amy!). 3. Are you being nice to yourself? ➡️ When it’s time to review work I remind myself that I’m not perfect and that’s OK. 4. Can I lower my standard and still be satisfied with the outcome? ➡️ Chances are yes. What would the end result look like if I dialed it back 10 or 20%? 5. Am I ruminating or problem solving? ➡️ Sometimes when I overthink something I convince myself that it’s helpful. Now I ask myself if I’m solving a problem or just spinning. 🌟 On avoiding “compound perfectionism”: The sneaky thing about perfectionism is that it makes me want to be perfect at not being perfect. (A gift that keeps on giving!) So while these questions are meant to help me change my habits, I do NOT want them to become another unreasonably high standard. So if (just kidding, when) I forget to ask myself these questions, I have to let it go. I have to say: “It’s okay, Amy. You’re doing really well. You’re learning new habits, and it takes time to change. I’m proud of you for trying something new and challenging.” Here’s to being worse at my job(s), from writing to parenting and everything in between. Are you with me? (And for more on this, see the link in the comments.)

I once coached a rep who spent 45 minutes writing a single prospecting email. It never got opened. This is what perfectionism looks like in sales. It feels like diligence. But it's actually fear in disguise. It’s the #1 silent killer of productivity I see in top performers. And it’s keeping thousands of reps from greatness. When I ask my clients why they procrastinate on key actions—emails, calls, exec meetings—it's rarely because they’re lazy. It’s because they’re scared it won’t be “good enough.” They believe if it’s not perfect, it’s not worth doing. So they delay. They overthink. They rewrite the email 9 times. They wait until they “feel more prepared” to meet the VP. They avoid risk… and call it professionalism. But here’s the truth: Perfectionism is just fear—dressed up as high standards. And it’s costing you pipeline, confidence, and growth. The irony? You only become “good enough” by doing the reps. You don’t become a world-class presenter by sitting in Google Docs. You become one by presenting. Over and over. You don’t write powerful emails by waiting for inspiration. You get there by writing 100 bad ones first. Mastery doesn’t come from waiting until you're ready. It comes from acting before you are. The best salespeople I know are not perfectionists. They are consistent executors. They ship when it’s 80% ready. They call the VP even when they’re nervous. They send the message before second-guessing every word. They understand that competence is built through action. Not before it. Perfectionism isn’t a high standard. It’s fear of failure in a nice suit. You don’t beat it by thinking. You beat it by acting. Every single day. Done now Beats perfect never. Always.

External validation is a trap. And yet I spent years (like many) chasing it… We’ve got to keep Dan Mian’s quote in mind. Relying on external validation feels good, until it doesn’t. The praise, the recognition, the approval from others can be addictive. But when your self-worth depends on it, you give away control over your own confidence and happiness. Why is it a trap? → It’s never enough No matter how much recognition you get, there’s always a need for more. The goalposts keep moving, and satisfaction never lasts. → It shifts power away from you When your confidence is tied to what others think, you let them decide how you feel about yourself. → It stops you from taking risks Fear of criticism can keep you from making bold moves or trying something new, in case you don’t get the approval you’re used to. → It leads to burnout Constantly seeking validation makes it easy to overwork, overcommit and ignore your own needs. How to break free? - Learn to sit with discomfort when approval doesn’t come, resilience grows in those moments - Surround yourself with people who support you for who you are, not just for what you achieve - Set personal goals that matter to you, not just to impress others - Recognise your own worth without needing external proof Approval is nice, but it’s not the foundation of real confidence. The moment you stop chasing it, you take back control. P.S. What’s helped you step away from external validation? ♻️ If you think this post could help someone in your network, hit repost. 👋🏼 Hey, I’m Laura- I share posts that empower busy people to build healthier, happier workplaces and teams. Hit ‘follow’ to keep updated.

NAVIGATING CAREER UNCERTAINITY In the labyrinth of professional life, a lack of clarity on your career path and progression can feel like wandering through dense fog – disorienting, frustrating, and often detrimental to your long-term success. This #uncertainity breeds anxiety, stifles motivation, and hinders your ability to set meaningful goals. The absence of a clear roadmap may result in feeling stuck, causing a ripple effect on your job satisfaction and overall well-being. 🚨 Warning Signs: Lack of enthusiasm for your work 😶 Feeling overwhelmed by choices 🤦♀️ Procrastination due to indecision ⏰ Frustration with a sense of aimlessness ➰ Strategies for Overcoming Career Uncertainty: 🎯 Self-Reflection: Begin by understanding your values, strengths, and passions. Reflect on what truly motivates you and brings you a sense of fulfillment. 🗺️ Set Short and Long-Term Goals: Break down your career aspirations into achievable short-term goals. This makes the journey less overwhelming. 🔄 Embrace Change and Adaptability: The professional landscape evolves rapidly. Embrace change and cultivate a mindset that sees challenges as opportunities for growth rather than roadblocks. 🤝 Seek Guidance and Mentorship: Reach out to mentors or seek guidance from individuals and career coaches who have navigated similar career paths. 🌐 Leverage Professional Networks: Engage with your professional network on platforms like LinkedIn. Participate in industry discussions, seek advice, and build connections with individuals who can provide guidance or potential opportunities. How can you take help from your current organization? 📈 Initiate Career Conversations: Don't shy away from discussing your career aspirations with your manager or HR. 🌱 Advocate for Professional Development: Companies often have resources and programs in place to support employees in honing new skills - make use of those and stay updated. 🤝 Collaborate with Colleagues: Foster a collaborative environment within your team. Sharing insights and experiences can provide a broader perspective and open up avenues for mutual support. 🚀 Express Your Ambitions: Clearly communicate your career goals to your network and your manager. You never know who might offer valuable advice or even connect you with opportunities that align with your aspirations. To ensure a structured and effective career progression, consider enrolling in personalized coaching. As a career coach, I specialize in guiding individuals through strategic planning, goal setting, and overcoming obstacles. Together, we can illuminate your career path and unlock your full potential. Let's plan your career progress together! Connect with me 👇 🌈 www.sonniasingh.com #sonniasingh #sonniasinghleadershipcoach #careerclarity #careerdevelopment #ProfessionalDevelopment #CareerCoaching

Early in my career, I was a code-churning machine. 1000+ pull requests in 2.5 years. A PR factory. I thought I was crushing it. I wasn't. Instead of adding value, I was "perfecting" code. Polishing doorknobs on a burning house. My teammates drowning in code reviews while I rearranged deck chairs on the Titanic. The metrics looked great. The impact? Not so much. Today, I'm lucky to ship 3 PRs a week. But those 3 PRs matter. The shift? Focus. Instead of perfecting, I'm prioritizing: 1. Lightening my team's load 2. Shipping faster, moving to the next thing 3. Asking my manager how I can help Perfectionism is the enemy of progress. It's a comforting lie we tell ourselves to avoid the scary parts of our job – the ambiguity, the risk of being wrong, the potential for failure. But that's where the real value is created. Now, I combat my perfectionist tendencies with three weapons: 1. Weekly priorities: Write them down. Stick to them. 2. Smallest viable value: Ship it. Get feedback. Iterate. 3. Early input: 4-hour focus blocks, then share. Course-correct fast. The result? 50% fewer PRs, 2x more value. Perfectionism feels productive. It's not. It's procrastination in a productivity costume. Real impact comes from shipping, learning, and iterating. From helping your team, not drowning them in unnecessary work. So next time you're tempted to "perfect" something, ask yourself: Am I adding value, or just avoiding the hard stuff? The answer might surprise you. #lessons #NoCode #productive #growthhack

I've been reflecting on something fundamental: the mythology of perfection that permeates our profession. Three uncomfortable truths I've confronted in my practice: 1.    Legal brilliance isn't about perfection. It is about judgment under constraints. The greatest lawyers I've known weren't people who made zero mistakes, but people who recognized which imperfections mattered and which didn't. 2.    The lawyer value proposition is multidimensional. When a client praises exceptional legal work, they're rarely evaluating it on technical accuracy alone, but on how it navigated competing pressures within their specific context to achieve a desired outcome. 3.    The most powerful advances in our field have come not from isolation but from integration. By integration, I am referring to bringing together perspectives, approaches, and knowledge systems that challenge our default thinking. What troubles me is how our professional culture celebrates a form of perfectionism that doesn't reflect the reality of excellent legal work. Our mentorship often fails to communicate that mastery comes from navigating complexity, not eliminating it. Maybe it's time we revised our professional narrative. What if we stopped pretending that impeccable legal work means error-free work, and instead acknowledged that it means thoughtful, context-aware navigation of inevitable limitations? #legaltech #innovation #law #business #learning

One of the hardest balances to master as a leader is staying informed about your team’s work without crossing the line into micromanaging them. You want to support them, remove roadblocks, and guide outcomes without making them feel like you’re hovering. Here’s a framework I’ve found effective for maintaining that balance: 1. Set the Tone Early Make it clear that your intent is to support, not control. For example: “We’ll need regular updates to discuss progress and so I can effectively champion this work in other forums. My goal is to ensure you have what you need, to help where it’s most valuable, and help others see the value you’re delivering.” 2. Create a Cadence of Check-Ins Establish structured moments for updates to avoid constant interruptions. Weekly or biweekly check-ins with a clear agenda help: • Progress: What’s done? • Challenges: What’s blocking progress? • Next Steps: What’s coming up? This predictability builds trust while keeping everyone aligned. 3. Ask High-Leverage Questions Stay focused on outcomes by asking strategic questions like: • “What’s the biggest risk right now?” • “What decisions need my input?” • “What’s working that we can replicate?” This approach keeps the conversation productive and empowering. 4. Define Metrics and Milestones Collaborate with your team to define success metrics and use shared dashboards to track progress. This allows you to stay updated without manual reporting or extra meetings. 5. Empower Ownership Show your trust by encouraging problem-solving: “If you run into an issue, let me know your proposed solutions, and we’ll work through it together.” When the team owns their work, they’ll take greater pride in the results. 6. Leverage Technology Use tools like Asana, Jira, or Trello to centralize updates. Shared project platforms give you visibility while letting your team focus on execution. 7. Solicit Feedback Ask your team: “Am I giving you enough space, or would you prefer more or less input from me?” This not only fosters trust but also helps you refine your approach as a leader. Final Thought: Growing up playing sports, none of my coaches ever suited up and got in the game with the players on the field. As a leader, you should follow the same discipline. How do you stay informed without micromanaging? What would you add? #leadership #peoplemanagement #projectmanagement #leadershipdevelopment