Being a perfectionist is an obstacle and how to beat it

99% of the perfectionists I have had the misfortune to work with are just slow or out of their depth and are using the term as an emotional crutch. How much nicer it is to tell yourself that you are a perfectionist than you are just not very good at whatever you are doing.

The people that turn out near perfect work are usually the fastest and just get things done. It is a pity they are so rare.

Re: Being a perfectionist is an obstacle and how to beat it

#5

Post by frading » Thu, Feb 08, 2018, 7:37 PM UTC

sitkack wrote: post #3

I have realized that my perfectionism is a mask for a fragile ego.

ha, that's not exactly what I mean in this post, I hope that's not what you would take away. (although you might just be sarcastic)

What leads us to perfect our work (and prevents us from shipping) is hopefully not an ego problem. It's just that we might be too eager to keep improving it, instead of enjoying the current state. It's just like the belief that adding yet another feature to an app will solve everything.

Re: Being a perfectionist is an obstacle and how to beat it

#6

Post by dootdootdoot » Thu, Feb 08, 2018, 7:43 PM UTC

frading wrote: post #2

Hello all, OP here. Don't hesitate to shoot any questions if you have any. This blog is mostly oriented towards filmmakers, but the concept of perfecting vs completing can apply just as well to web or technical endeavors.

Have you struggled with perfectionism?

Re: Being a perfectionist is an obstacle and how to beat it

#7

Post by tomnipotent » Thu, Feb 08, 2018, 7:46 PM UTC

danieltillett wrote: post #4

99% of the perfectionists I have had the misfortune to work with are just slow or out of their depth and are using the term as an emotional crutch. How much nicer it is to tell yourself that you are a perfectionist than you are just not very good at whatever you are doing. The people that turn out near perfect work are usually the fastest and just get things done. It is a pity they are so rare.

Producing perfect work has nothing to do with perfectionism.

Re: Being a perfectionist is an obstacle and how to beat it

#8

Post by MattyRad » Thu, Feb 08, 2018, 7:47 PM UTC

This reminds me of the Cult of Done Manifesto, which focuses on doing and action. https://medium.com/@bre/the-cult-of-done-manifesto-724ca1c2f...

Re: Being a perfectionist is an obstacle and how to beat it

#9

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Feb 08, 2018, 7:47 PM UTC

sitkack wrote: post #3

I have realized that my perfectionism is a mask for a fragile ego.

[deleted]

Re: Being a perfectionist is an obstacle and how to beat it

#10

Post by frading » Thu, Feb 08, 2018, 7:50 PM UTC

MattyRad wrote: post #8

This reminds me of the Cult of Done Manifesto, which focuses on doing and action. https://medium.com/@bre/the-cult-of-done-manifesto-724ca1c2f...

Thanks for sharing, I didn't know that.

I love the last point "Done is the engine of more"!