*Currently listening to Elements album by Elaine*
For most people, being called a perfectionist is an accomplishment as it shows that they are people who have no problem getting things done in the most perfect manner. They always look forward to success and perfection in every little thing they do, either on a personal or professional level.
Last year, during my internship, I worked with someone that wanted everything to be done in the most perfect way. It was actually revealing to me because I haven’t had to work with someone that pushes that hard towards work. He is always proud of what is capable of doing. He always made sure we get things done in the best and fastest means possible.
One thing I realized is that perfectionists attempt to get things done in an extremely high standards with unrealistic expectations. The more they look into whatever they are doing, they are never satisfied with the final product. They always feel like there is a room for improvement even when it’s clear that it is the best way they could do which is good enough. They have this idea that their work is either a complete success or a complete failure. There is no in-between. They always judge themselves very harshly of how well they get things done.
The problem is that there is a misunderstanding of what perfectionism is truly about.
“Perfectionism is the enemy of creation, as extreme self-solitude is the enemy of well-being”. – John Updike
According to google, perfectionism is often defined as the need to be appear to be perfect, or even to believe that it is possible to achieve perfection. It is typically viewed as a positive trait rather than a flaw.
This trait can lead to problems of getting things done, to too perfect, which can interfere in your life. This is why perfectionism is like some kind of illusions that plays in your mind. It hinders you from being yourself when completing tasks, without having to doubt yourself or assume others think the worst of you.
It becomes a problem when it starts to get in the way of your productivity. It breeds procrastination because you’ll be too busy lookin for the perfect starting that won’t actually start, then the frustration sets in and you keep postponing until it’s not done at all.
My boss created rigid standards that are not prone to make mistakes. He was never satisfied with other’s performance. It’s either we’re too slow or we are not doing it in the way he wants. At times, he’ll tell us that he can get the work done if only he had less things to do. We are always scared of making mistakes that will piss him off because when we do, he gets over critical of any mistake we make.
If you truly are a perfectionist, then I’m sure you can relate to all that I’ve written here. If you’re not one, my advice is to not try to be one. No one is perfect. We can’t live without making mistakes.
I think perfectionists should try to listen to the view of others on their work, because other people are the key and will be the judge of your work’s quality. Your work will never live up to your own standards. That’s why you’re the worst judge. This is also why no work of art has ever existed without an audience. If you’ve never shown it to anyone, you’re cutting yourself off from the only real path to improvement.
You should learn to accept that your work is not good enough and see that criticism is more valuable than disinterest. Let someone tell when it’s good enough because you will never know. And never forget that no work of art, be it music, books, paintings, write ups, is the product of a single person’s labor.
HAVE YOU EVER EXPERIENCED WORKING YOURSELF OUT ON YOUR ART?
DO YOU THINK ONLY YOUR VALIDATION MATTERS OR OTHER PEOPLE’S OWN ARE MORE IMPORTANT?
Please leave a comment on what you think, i’d really appreciate.
Molayo x
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A great write up!🤩
thank you boo 🤗
Finally it’s up!!
Just yesterday, my dad was telling me that I was looking for perfection and that’s why I’ve been procrastinating my project work for about 4 months. The truth of the matter is that he’s right. Most times, I don’t feel like my work is good enough and so, I abandon it or I just do it without interest. It’s almost like it has to be a particular kind of way with nothing between.
I’m working on trying not to be too perfect and making room for making mistakes and learning from it but the truth of the matter is that it’s easier said than done. It’s either I’m failing or my work is a total success… I really can’t help it.
this project thing, it’s just to do what i can do man. i can’t kill myself. and yes, it’s not easy if it something you’re used to, but then i’m glad you know that people are bound to make mistakes. you should try to just do you and not force anything to happen.
This piece is insightful!
thank you so much.
Keep it up sister
thank you my love ❤️
I enjoyed reading it so much. It’s explicit.💯
i’m glad. thank you ❤️
A beautiful piece
thank you 🙏🏾
For me, I just feel there’s no room for less than excellent. It has to be top-notch. I kinda have the mentality that it’s either perfect or nothing. But recently, I’m learning to give room for sketchy outputs as it helps make things better in the long run it’s not so easy but I’m trying and so far, It seems interesting.
Perfectionism blinds a person from knowing and acknowledging his flaws, because he’s trying to evade them . Beautiful piece Molayo 🐾
thank you so much 😊