Being perfect is a strong need I feel CONSTANTLY. Everyday it governs what I do, don’t do, and how I decide what to do. If you’re anything like me you give the need to be perfect A LOT of power in your life. Why? I can tell you in school you are graded by it, your peers judge you on it, and my ego/pride thirsts for it. The funny thing is it’s arguably impossible to achieve and an even greater issue is that it causes some really unhealthy side effects in our business lives (we don’t have time to talk about the devastating effects its grip has on our personal lives, but I think it’s safe to say it spills into all aspects of our lives.)
The new way of doing business has bigger plans for us than being perfect.
Here’s a couple:
Authenticity – people need to know you’re real (human) and less perfect = a more intimate relationship with your tribe
Creation (showing up) – most people never make it to the market with their product/service because it’s “not ready” (or enter lame perfection excuse) – how can you even get closer or advance your offer/product/service without showing up in the market?
The new way of doing business demands action – highly consistent action. One thing I know for certain is that a top deterrents to taking that consistent action is the need to be perfect. So without further ado lets talk about the five things you can do today to stop procrastinating and start working on what matters most:
(by the way, if you haven’t noticed yet perfection = procrastination and I use them almost interchangeably)
1. If there’s something on your list that you’ve been resisting AND it’s really important – DO IT RIGHT NOW.
The most natural human feeling is for us to resist what will bring us what it is we seek (success, money, more business, love, ect.) You should know that the feeling to NOT take action is a feeling we ALL get – but there’s a game to play called “DO IT ANYWAY.” Try it out, just once today and notice the way you feel afterwards (this is the anchor you MUST remember, because you will need to go back to it when you encounter this resistance again – hint you ALWAYS will).
2. Ask yourself this question: If I couldn’t fail, what would I do right now
I’ve noticed part of our biggest struggles of perfection is operating off of the wrong assumptions and us personally asking ourselves the WRONG questions of ourselves. Consider it for a second… If you knew you couldn’t fail with something wouldn’t you approach it differently? Scared, safe, and cowardly action completely lacking any confidence whatsoever turns into heroic, bold, artful creation. What prompted it? A better question. If you acted strongly on those assumptive questions as if they were factual – I dare say, you just might prove them accurate (worst case you’ll still be creating GREAT work.)
3. Check in with your gut.
Some call this their source or their higher power (even God.) Whatever your preference, check in with the feeling/knowing “ness” that exists in all of us and LISTEN. When we give ourselves permission to “receive” the information we require rather than force it out we open ourselves to our greatest opportunities. It’s easy to do, and obviously easy NOT to do – tap in today and I bet you’ll be inspired – that inspiration deserves action, feed it.
4. Operate from Irresistible Possibilities
Most of us (especially me) have been systematically conditioned and trained to suck at taking big, MIGHTy, bold action. Lucky for me I have a method to tap into that space and give myself permission to do it – I create that action based off of my own personal irresistible possibilities. This list is NOT my to-do list, my work list, or my probability calculator keeping me safe and “on track.” It’s my list of what I just MIGHT be able to pull off. I wear this hat for about an hour or so a day and when it’s on I give myself complete permission to be my best self. (Oh, you didn’t know I was a professional writer/speaker/adventurer? Well I am during this special time I gift myself) Turn this time on for yourself and you’ll forget about perfection and enjoy the bliss of playing big.
5. Don’t do it alone. (Team)
Business, especially as a solopreneur, poses great challenges at times to up your game, be accountable to high level action, and to maintain a high level of meaningful inspiration. Hell it’s tough enough being a business owner in a new economy, don’t do it alone! Everyone’s different, some people prefer a coach, some a really good friend, and others a system to help them stay on track – whatever your preference I HIGHLY suggest you get it NOW because no matter where you are in your business I guarantee it will take you to a higher level, the next level if you will.
When people say to me: “How do you do so many things?” I often answer them, without meaning to be cruel: “How do you do so little?” It seems to me that people have vast potential. Most people can do extraordinary things if they have the confidence or take the risks. Yet most people don’t. They sit in front of the telly and treat life as if it goes on forever. ~Philip Adams
