Perfection - Mission Impossible!

By Rhonda McNett

Let me be perfectly honest with you: I've been wasting perfectly good hours already this morning, putting off writing this article, trying to make sure that I have the perfect thoughts to share with you! Is that crazy or what??

One problem is that, as I'm sure you are aware but still strive for...there is no such thing as perfection! So, let's stop going there, OK?

You don't even want to know how many trips I've made up and down the stairs to and from my desk, avoiding this writing project that I enjoy doing SO much. Another cup of tea; how about a bit of banana; think I'll switch to coffee now; better check my email; the cats need to be fed and their boxes checked; I'll share that Oprah article with hubby; and on and on. I know better! I teach productivity, efficiency and focus, but sometimes even I don't "walk my talk!" OK - enough of the confession, but...does this sound familiar?

I'm working on a certification program and, to paraphrase the author: if we are striving for excellence, that's a healthy pursuit. If we are pursuing perfection relentlessly, we're in for serious trouble. The "dysfunctional perfectionist" can be so afraid of failing to perform in that manner that nothing gets done. This can undermine your forward progress in anything, home or career.

Of course, there are times you will be putting things off. Maybe you don't have the proper equipment. Maybe you need some special training or a trainer to assist you in an area in which you aren't very knowledgeable. Maybe a "hot-button" has arrived that you must deal with ASAP. Please know that you aren't "bad" if you struggle with this. However, if your determination for perfection has become a long-term pattern, better rethink that. What might be triggering the delay in plain, old "starting?" You may have an Aha moment that will help you bypass that in the future.

I'm not wanting to go into a full discussion about procrastination here, although that's exactly where the goal of perfection will take you. That's an entire topic, all on its own, which I'll cover in a future article.

Suffice it to say: Stop aiming for perfection. That truly is "Mission Impossible!" We all know, thanks to Nike, that we need to "Just Do It!" OK...enough free advertising for movies and shoes. Try some of these little tricks:

• Get your priorities straight. Deadlines and "musts" should always be on the top of your list. Ask yourself each day what the one or two top things are that will help you accomplish what you need to get done. This is one of the definitions of being organized, after all.
• Stop multi-tasking, unless you can do it "mindfully." Be aware that you are going back and forth between projects, for whatever reason, which requires you to think "where was I?," causing you to lose valuable time each instance that happens.
• Have a system, a routine for getting certain tasks done. Repetition is the way to form habits (aim for the good ones!), which also allows you to satisfy that perfection goal as you get better and better at your project each time you do it!
• "One small step..." Don't look at the entire project and the fright that may entail. Break it down into little pieces and tackle a bit at a time. Easier to challenge that perfectionism "ideal" that way, too - you are more likely to be happy with your progress and ensuing results when you are not looking at the entire pie, but a piece just the right size!
• The energy and momentum you realize from each little accomplishment spurs you to carry on with what you need or want to get done. Success is such a great motivator, don't you think?

Phew! Done! Not perfect, is it? But thanks for sticking with me while I rambled on, enjoyably so. Please keep the main idea in mind as you go about your day: stop trying to be perfect - it doesn't exist! Give yourself a break and get it "good enough" - you can always make changes the next time around.

I wish you peace, harmony and a sense of accomplishment!

If clutter has taken over your life and you just can't get it together...If you have too much stuff in too small a space and can't decide what needs to go...If you're frustrated and stressed because you can't find your keys, your wallet, your checkbook...If you're inundated with paper and getting buried in piles of it...If you would like less confusion, stress and frustration and more peace, order and serenity in your life...You'll find relief at Sensible Organizing Strategies. Get free organizing tips and information from Rhonda McNett at http://www.sosbyrhonda.com/contact.html. Find the peace and harmony hiding in your home or office.

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