Perfection Paralysis
"I always say, when I'm writing, getting from nothing on the page to something on the page is 90% of the work."
Martha Beck
Do you ever get so overwhelmed by where to begin that you don't? Or consumed with too many choices and afraid you'll pick the wrong one? The combination can lead to perfection paralysis and leave you feeling frozen.
That is exactly what happened to me when trying to figure out what to write for my first official post on The Imperfect Journey. I thought about all the topics I wanted to explore and share with you, but I couldn't settle on where to begin. I kept thinking, "This is it. My post has to be good, really good.”
Why not start with topics that hit close to home - overwhelm, choices, and perfection paralysis.
I kind of love the phrase perfection paralysis. It rolls right off the tongue, but what does it mean? Here is one very simple definition:
"Perfection paralysis is when you simply can't start a project because you are so concerned that you won't get it exactly right."
Perfection paralysis comes into play when I have too many choices or tasks and get overwhelmed. I don't do well with multiple options. Just ask my husband or children when I try to order at a restaurant. They all sit back and relax because they know it will take a while. When I think of perfection paralysis, it has a domino effect. First, too many choices lead to overwhelm. Next, I am stuck as if the walls are closing in around me. Finally, it leads to tears or a terrible mood. Can you relate?
So what to do when perfection paralysis hits? If you search the Internet, you can find endless tips, tricks, and advice. Here are two of my favorite strategies to tackle it:
1. Create an action plan! Make it super simple, including three or four items. Write it down. Post it somewhere visible.
Here is an example:
Take three calming breaths.
Make a "to-do" list. Write down everything. All the things that need to be done and all the choices. Then prioritize the list from the most pressing to the least.
Ask, "What is the decision in front of me right now at this very moment?"
Set a timer for 5, 10, or 15 minutes, whatever feels reasonable, and begin.
For help in creating action plans, check out the app Schmoody.
I started using this app a month ago, and I love it! Schmoody is a mental health resource with a fun and playful tone. One of the app's main features is creating action plans. You can choose from a pre-made list or create your own. As a bonus, Schmoody also offers creative ideas to improve your mood. The simple tools inside the app are easy to navigate and highly effective.
"Shmoody believes that the best mental health tools should be backed by science, but don't need to feel clinical and boring. Because we firmly believe the experience of working on our mental health can - and should - be fun." schmoodyapp.com
2. My other go-to for resolving perfection paralysis is a podcast called The Next Right Thing, hosted by Emily F. Freeman. It is quick and short, with episodes averaging twenty minutes. When I feel stuck, I can tune in and always find an episode relevant to my current situation. It leaves me feeling confident I can make the decision in front of me. As a bonus, Emily's soothing and lovely voice makes listening to the podcast calming.
"This is a podcast about making decisions, but also about making a life. If you struggle with decision fatigue, chronic hesitation, or if you just need a few minutes away from the constant stream of information and the sometimes delightful, but also distracting hum of entertainment while you're in the right place for discerning your next right thing." Emily P. Freeman
I hope you have found these tips helpful in tackling perfection paralysis! Drop me a note; I would love to hear from you! Blessings for happy planning and easy listening.
Walking the Journey with You,
MeganA Prayer for May:
Dear God,
Sometimes I feel so paralyzed by perfectionism that I don't know where to begin. It's like my feet are in a deep puddle of mud, and I can't move. Please loosen my feet, God, and help me get unstuck. Enable me to take baby steps, moving forward to do the next right thing. Show me how to create an action plan to lighten my load and brighten my day. Amen.
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