Are you putting off launching your online program, writing your book, getting your website ready or doing your sales copy?
Over the past few years, I've talked to hundreds of people who shared similar scenarios:
They had a dream, but they didn't want to fail. So they didn't do anything.
They said they were working on their projects, but they got stuck in the details. They wouldn't let go of their work, wouldn't let others see it, until it was absolutely perfect.
Or even worse: they wouldn't even start working on their projects because of the high expectation they had placed on themselves.
The problem is that we stop moving forward because we get stuck trying to achieve perfection.
When your creativity is held inside you, you get stagnant and start feeling disconnected from your Higher Self. When you're disconnected from your true nature - the one that creates, manifests, activates, and shares, you may start feeling sad, angry or even depressed.
Most of the time we have these feelings, because we're avoiding what we need to do. In that avoidance, we get lost.
If you are going through this situation, I want you to try something different. If anything, try it only for a day and see how it goes. It may be the start you need to break through.
Here are four tips that will help you overcome perfectionism so you can take action:
1. Make It Bad
When developing your content (product, service, website, program, screenplay, etc.) make it bad - very, very bad.
I first learned this concept while watching the movie Ruby Sparks. The protagonist of the movie was a novelist who'd had a great deal of success a decade earlier, but couldn't seem to break through into his second book. He had writer's block and couldn't live up to his own expectations.
His therapist told him to write a specific number of words daily with only one prerequisite - he was instructed to make it as bad as he could.
When the writer started applying this technique, a waterfall of creativity poured onto the paper. It was non-stop.
If you allow yourself to unleash your creativity, no matter how ugly your project turns out, you'll have overcome the hardest step of the process - getting started.
Know that you'll always have the time to make it better, so don't be afraid to make it really bad. Just let it out.
2. Work With Your Doors Closed
Stephen King shares in his book On Writing that he writes with "the doors closed," then later with "the doors open." Writing, or working with the doors closed means that when you begin the first draft of your work, you must immerse yourself fully into what you want to share with the world.
You give it your all and say what you want to say. You unleash your creativity to the fullest, as if no one was watching. In your doors closed space, you are safe.
Closing the doors is a metaphor that can be applied both in a physical way (such as working in the privacy of your room, with no distractions), and within yourself, by entering your inner place where you can be free while you work.
3. Open The Door
Once you've completed the first draft of your work, it's time to share it with a few trusted people. This is when you "open the door" and share what you've done with people you trust, who love you and who care enough for you to give you honest and constructive feedback.
This stage of opening the door is where we often get stuck. We get stuck in this stage because we want all the details to be perfectly in place before anyone sees our work. This is where you need to take a leap of faith. You need to open the door and invite others in.
It's important that the people who give you feedback be people you don't fear. If you have approval issues with your mother, then please, don't open the door with her at this stage. Ask your support community to review your work, or share your work with peers or friends who know your subject. Just make sure you feel comfortable with these people.
4. Let Go Of The Voices Of The Past
No one is going to bully you, judge you, point at you, or make fun of your creation. You may have grown up in an environment where you were judged, criticized, or felt like you were never good enough. You need to recognize that the people you choose to review your work are not going to act that way. It is time to leave the past behind and forgive those voices that once judged you. If you can forgive, you will find the freedom that you need to move forward with your life.
And last but not least, to once again echo the words of Stephen King,
"The scariest moment is always just before you start."
Maybe you're already at the stage where you need to open the doors and share your work with others. Yes, it is scary, but if you don't do it; no one will do it for you. If you need an extra boost to overcome your fears, get my free audios "The 5 Keys to Manifesting Your Dream Life!"+"7 Steps To Overcoming What Is Stopping You From Success" for additional guidance.
It's waiting for you on the other side of the door: A life full of possibilities - lingering, ecstatic and ready to be put out into motion. All you need to do is open the door.
Now, I would love to hear from you!
If you struggle with perfectionism, are you ready to try something different?
Mercedes Maidana is a Motivational Speaker and Business and Abundance Life Coach who guides women to launch and improve their businesses, go for their dreams, and take action steps to live life to their highest potential. Continue the conversation with Mercedes and learn more about her work on Facebook and Instagram.