Creating as a Perfectionist

Confession: I am a perfectionist.

Not all the time, and not to the extreme, but the thought that “It’s just not good enough” torments me more often than I’d like.

Too often, expectations of initial perfection cripple me; they prevent me from seeing a project or post beyond an initial draft or sketch because I am disappointed by what I produced initially. Countless ideas of interest have faded from memory because I started writing something and never finished.

But, finally, the metaphorical light above my head blinked on: It – whatever it is that I’m building, be it a song, a post, a project at work, whatever – doesn’t have to be great at first. It doesn’t even have to be good. All it needs is at least a kernel of goodness in it, the indescribable but always palpable something that makes a project worth continuing.

I think that it’s imperative to have high standards for yourself and the things you create. But you shouldn’t stop doing something just because your first attempt didn’t live up to expectations (or even just plain sucked).

As long as you see at least that kernel of greatness, you should keep at it. Revise, revise, and revise some more. Sculpt. Shape. Throw out the bad stuff. Be willing to reconsider your entire approach, if you have to. But, whatever you do, don’t stop. Take a break (or many) if you need to, but don’t stop. Keep at it.

What you come up with might surprise you.

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Postscript: I started this post as a draft earlier this week. Coincidentally, I stumbled across “Let the Fear Out” by Justin Williams, which links to another article titled “Scared” by Phillip Bowden. Both writers make the point I’m trying to make (and probably better): Whatever it is you are trying to do, just do it (sorry Nike). Don’t let your expectations of perfection prevent you from eventually creating something great.