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Procrastination and Perfectionism

structuredprocrastination.com

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Re: Procrastination and Perfectionism

#2

Post by jh3 »

This is me to a tee. And it's terrible. It's such a bad feeling to have so many assignments or projects pile up while you imagine how perfect they could turn out.

In the end, all of the things I sit on for much too long get done, make other people happy, make the grade, and work, but there's always that lingering thought in the back of my head: I could have done this so much better.

I need to stop doing this...

Re: Procrastination and Perfectionism

#3

Post by amitparikh »

jh3 wrote: post #2

This is me to a tee. And it's terrible. It's such a bad feeling to have so many assignments or projects pile up while you imagine how perfect they could turn out. In the end, all of the things I sit on for much too long get done, make other people happy, make the grade, and work, but there's always that lingering thought in the back of my head: I could have done this so much better. I need to stop doing this...

Me too. I think the worst part is when I "sit on [it] for much too long." I always find myself holding onto projects/design papers/documentation because I know (or, actually, think) that I will be able to fine tune them further and make them "perfect".

Even though I submit great work, I end up getting less work done and as a result, end up looking less competent than some of my peers.

Re: Procrastination and Perfectionism

#4

Post by cynoclast »

jh3 wrote: post #2

This is me to a tee. And it's terrible. It's such a bad feeling to have so many assignments or projects pile up while you imagine how perfect they could turn out. In the end, all of the things I sit on for much too long get done, make other people happy, make the grade, and work, but there's always that lingering thought in the back of my head: I could have done this so much better. I need to stop doing this...

Same here, or was...

Just quit thinking about it and at least try something.

I've accomplished so much more since I started doing that.

If you wait around till the perfect idea with the perfect opportunity you're going to be so late to the game that you'll probably be dead last.

Re: Procrastination and Perfectionism

#5

Post by kenkam »

jh3 wrote: post #2

This is me to a tee. And it's terrible. It's such a bad feeling to have so many assignments or projects pile up while you imagine how perfect they could turn out. In the end, all of the things I sit on for much too long get done, make other people happy, make the grade, and work, but there's always that lingering thought in the back of my head: I could have done this so much better. I need to stop doing this...

I am so happy I saw this post because I know that I'm not the only one. We just need to forget about being perfect and get the job done, while enjoying it.

I think if I enjoy doing stuff slightly less than perfect, or even just a 'good' job, then I would definitely be much happier.

Re: Procrastination and Perfectionism

#8

Post by derrida »

I love the philosopher that wrote this, John Perry. He wrote this other essay called "The Essential Indexical" that is about how we assign reference to the word "I" in different contexts. Read it if you want an example of what Paul Graham refered to in one of his essays, when he says the lesson of philosophy '...is that the concepts we use in everyday life are fuzzy, and break down if pushed too hard." You certainly should read "The Essential Indexical" if you think you understand that when you use the word "I" it unambiguously refers.

Re: Procrastination and Perfectionism

#10

Post by solson »

I've been a procrastinator for as long as I can remember. In elementary school I recall being assigned the the task of writing a report on the composer Rossini. I had no interest and I still haven't done it 30+ years later. But for some reason I still think about it. The explanation in this article doesn't hold true for me. When it comes to things that aren't fun or that may be evaluated for quality and I must get them done of face some dire consequence, maybe... I also procrastinate in buying things, mostly as a way of saving money. But I rarely if ever procrastinate in doing things I love doing. I never put off playing a game of chess with my son or going biking or writing or taking on an interesting software project.
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