What’s Perfectionism Got to Do With it?

Last week, I started off with a few f bombs and then claimed that I don't actually cuss that much. That's true. Foul language can actually make me blush. During the pandemic, when I started hatching my business, I was so afraid of technology. That fear came out as big-time frustration and A LOT of choice language, but most of it PG at least in word.

But, I've been growing in this area of my life. A few months ago I got a pigment-based ink printer and started doing my own prints. Not a tech-lite task! And, as you know, I just launched my own website. I built so much of this site on my own. Googling questions and diving deep into the squarespace help forums. And, when I needed help, I asked for it. I hired a freelancer to do some work in a few spots that I just couldn't quite make time to learn how to do. My biggest win: I only got a lil bit frustrated every once in a while in this process. 

Why am I writing about this? Why should you care? Because overcoming my frustration with technology has actually been possible because I’m recovering from perfectionism. I’ve been aware how much perfectionism has actually been stifling my growth. I have been working hard to recognize when it’s lurking on the sidelines and I have more skills in place to allow myself to find the “good enough” (and actually be happy about it). Not being controlled by the need for perfectionism has given me a little space to breathe and has actually allowed me to learn-like the techy things, for example! Not to mention, it's boosted my self-worth, making it easier for me to ask for help when I need it.

What things frustrate you? What do you do when that irritation starts to rise? Might not seem worth examining, but it could help you unlock some deeper beliefs about what you expect from yourself. Reply to this email or reach out to me. You can even tell me about how much you hate bad drivers! I’m in your corner.