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by Kelly Beischel PhD, RN, CNE

We strive to be perfect. Even when we know it’s impossible. We run toward the illusory idea of being perfect or producing perfection.

But, it doesn’t work. And the worst part? We waste a lot of time trying to get there.

I have a solution. Just Stop It! (You’ll want to click on this link. It’s life altering!)

Perfectionism is a manifestation of procrastination.

This is how it manifests:

  • If you spend time finding the perfect graphic for your PowerPoint lecture, you can put off your dreaded test writing.
  • If you spend enough time creating the perfect lecture (think eons), you can put off your academic writing.
  • If you spend an excessive amount of time creating a perfect-everyone’s-going-to love-this-in-class-activity, you can stall grading papers.

Now you fill in the blanks.

If I spend the time it takes to __________ the perfect ____________, I can put off __________.

Yet, the task that you avoided for the past hour is still waiting for you. And what’s worse? The time you had to work on that task is gone. You can see that this perfection-manifestation-of-procrastination strategy is such a time waster, right?

You and I have way too much to do to waste a single minute.

Just think of all that you could accomplish if you jumped off the perfection wagon and worked on that task you were avoiding. (I’ll let you in on a secret. It leads to more free time.)

How cool would that be?

6 Steps to Slashing Perfectionism and Getting More Done:

  1. Ask yourself: Am I trying to be perfect by looking for the perfect graphic, creating the perfect assignment, perfectly formatting the test?
  2. Ask yourself: What am I avoiding – academic writing, test writing, grading papers?
  3. Summon Bob Newhart’s voice in your head and say “Stop It”. (If you didn’t click on the link above- you really need to watch it now.)
  4. Commit to spending a fixed amount of time on each task, even those you are avoiding.
  5. Set a timer.
  6. When the timer rings, move on to the next task.

It really is that simple.

I need to close up this computer to go for my run – I’ve been trying to perfect this newsletter long enough. 🙂

Try it and let me know how much you accomplish.