I used to be a perfectionist procrastinator…

I see this trait rear its head every time I need to sit and plan a workshop, a talk, or create a piece of writing. Anything that results in me maybe being out of my comfort zone, or where there’s a potential risk of failure, ignites my perfectionist procrastination.

I used to simply put these things off til the last minute. Use the pressure as ‘motivation’ (which would also give me a convenient excuse if it wasn’t perfect… “oh I didn’t have much time”.) Then I would sit down to a blank page and look for anything else to do. Scroll, wash up, hoover, ‘just one more episode’…

I’m not completely rid of these habits, but I am creating better ones…

Now, when I’m faced with a task that might trigger my perfectionism procrastination…

🖋️I write something. It doesn’t matter what, it doesn’t have to be good, just something. Action drives motivation.
🖋️I allow myself to jump around the plan. I don’t have to plan the thing from start to finish. If I have an idea for the ending I can jump to that, then the middle, then add something to the start, oh and that’d be good to add in towards the end. This way I’m creating consistently. And as I jump about the plan unfolds and reveals itself.
🖋️I always do a sh***y first draft.
🖋️I get a bit done and if I’m struggling for ideas or answers I stop, do something else, and go back to it later. (Also knowing that this is part of my process prevents me from leaving it til the last minute).
🖋️I stay focussed on what’s important. What’s important and what we focus on when fixated with perfectionism are often two very different things.
-🧘🏻‍♀️And I sit somewhere comfy and in total silence. I know some people can’t bear silence but I love it!