Perfectionism & Procrastination: They're All Gonna Laugh At You

Are you a perfectionist? Do you have trouble getting things done on time even though you start with plenty of prep time because you want the final product to be, "just right?" Do you think that if your product is even the teensiest bit wrong that they're all gonna laugh at you?


I'm telling on myself today. With each project, I am very worried about making sure I have all the information, investigated all the options, and come up with the best idea. This means that I put off starting the HUGE project until it's almost too lat, then I rush to make sure I produce SOMEthing. This manifests as a series of marathon all-nighters over several days. Frankly, it's exhausting, and I'm tired of it, but I don't know how to stop. I also have trouble delegating tasks, for fear that it will be wrong somehow and I'll have to do it all over again myself anyway. The result of all this? Lost business opportunities. Why? Nothing's done.

I'm only exaggerating a little here. Being the researcher I am, I dug up this article by Gina Hiatt, PhD on The 3 P's: Perfectionism, Procrastination, and Paralysis. Perfectionists - beware, she's pretty blunt about us. Gina urges us to respond to the perfectionist voices in our head with, "at least I'm finishing it." Easier said than done, but I'm willing to try.

This article be Cal Newport at Study Hacks and a later article after he graduated discuss fixed scheduling and productivity had me on a great schedule, energized and productive. Although I drifted away after about a week, I realize that the major factor in whether it works or not is me. I am the one who has given away my time for worthy (and unworthy!) causes. Sooo... who's with me? Don't wait to start your new attitude and fixed schedule on Monday - a holiday, which means you'd have to wait to the Monday after! Go ahead and start today, Friday, and celebrate your big change over the holiday weekend.