How to Transform Perfectionism into Joy and Creative Flow
Before you start, here's my confession. I'm the Biggest Perfectionist EVER (don't even try to complete me :-)
Dear friend,
Full confession. I am a perfectionist. My brain scans for mistakes All-The-Time. I can see it happening. It sucks but - after years of not knowing - I can deal with it (okay, most of the time) but it's challenging. Because I'm aware that I'm a perfectionist. I can make fun of it, play with it and transform it into joy.
I'm not having any special powers. This is something you can do too. Transformation starts with awareness.
I identified 6 Obstacles that can block your success:
1. Perfectionism
2. Not Deserving Money Mindset
3. Procrastination
4. Loneliness (Isolation)
5. Shiny Objects Syndrome
6. Imposter Syndrome
No matter how experienced you are as entrepreneur, whether you're a starter or making millions, these 6 obstacles stand between "Working too hard, Feeling out of Alignment" and the light energy of "Ease, Joy and Happiness".
So, Let's start with Perfectionism and How to Transform it into Joy
You and I both know that perfectionism is plain and simple fear. Or as Elizabeth Gilbert famously said:
Perfectionism is just Fear in fancy shoes and a mink coat, pretending to pretending to be elegant when actually it's just terrified
HERE IS HOW PERFECTIONISM DOES IT'S NASTY WORK
This happens: You take a delightful shower in the morning and suddenly BOOM there is your "A-MA-ZING idea'!
Your bright shiny idea appears to come out of thin air. It fills your heart with warm happy love, endless possibilities and joy…. until you find out you’re not the only one who thought of it.
* POP *
There goes hope, beauty, innovation. You’ve fallen – head first – in the muddy creative pitfall: comparison, or imposter syndrome.
I’ve made a infographic for you. It shows you what happens after that Glorious Lightbulb moment in the shower and what it feels like once the comparison kicks in.
* THE UPGRADED VERSION OF THE PERFECTIONISTS CREATIVE PROCESS IS IN THE SELF LOVE SUCCESS CLUB
What does the Perfectionism look like? And what is it?
Perfectionism, in psychology, is a broad personality style characterized by a person's concern with striving for flawlessness and perfection and is accompanied by critical self-evaluations and concerns regarding others' evaluations.
It is best conceptualized as a multidimensional and multilayered personality characteristic, and initially some psychologists thought that there are many positive and negative aspects Perfectionism drives people to be concerned with achieving unattainable ideals or unrealistic goals, often leading to many forms of adjustment problems such as depression, low self-esteem, suicidal thoughts and tendencies and a host of other psychological, physical, relationship, and achievement problems in children, adolescents, and adults.
Recent data show that perfectionistic tendencies are on the rise among recent generations of young people.
Source Wikipedia
Perfectionism according to Esther:
When fear to make a mistake and holding yourself to an impossible out-of-reach high standard kills all joy, flow and fun and you keep your genius locked in the kitchen cabinet.
INTRODUCING: THE RECOVERED PERFECTIONISTS CREATIVE PROCESS transform Perfectionism into Joy
▶︎ 1. Know that everything has already been created and that this is okay
But it has never been created with your unique background, tone of voice or your personality.
▶︎ 2. If you want revenue, go for fun instead of perfect
Trying to be perfect will eventually always get in the way of lasting result.
There is NO such thing as 'the Perfect Online Course' or the perfect picture. Giving in to perfectionism will stop your creative flow.
▶︎ 3. Fallen in the perfectionist trap of 'It's not original or good enough' again?
Oh dear, you, me and (almost) everyone else both. Look how artists influence each other. I can guarantee you that every artists has a work of art that puzzles art historians because 'it could have been a ....(fill in name of random artist)
Tip 1: Do a little google search and see how Vincent van Gogh and Gauguin influenced each other. or how "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" by Japanese artist Hokusai is being reflected in Van Gogh 'The Starry Night" (Google it!)
Tip 2: Read 'Steal like an Artist' by Austin Kleon and 'Big Magic' by Elizabeth Gilbert (and all those other amazing books about creativity.
▶︎ 4. Accept that the ONLY 'thing' that is 100% Unique is YOU
You are unique, your work might be inspired by well known people, but you can never sound, move, look, react, write, talk, etc like them
Always look at the total picture: your natural talents (Your Zone of Genius, something I focus on with my own clients ), your culture, upbringing, heritage, education, personality, your natural style, all those elements are the building blocks that make that YOUR people gravitate towards you (instead of to someone else).
▶︎ 5. Make fun of your Inner Perfectionist
Share your perfectionism, make fun of it, make mistakes on purpose and forgive yourself for the fact that it freaks you out (and high five yourself for it). Lovingly challenge the fear.
▶︎ 6. You deserve Joy and Softness
Business gurus have told us that we need to work harder, be out there All the Time. Just do what I do, here is the system. They conveniently forgot that transformation starts with joy and not with feeling like we're not good enough.
▶︎ 7. The biggest shift happens when you add lots of self-love and self-acceptance to everything you do!
Tip: Read this article about self love for entrepreneurs if you are ready for an avalanche of self-love.
So give yourself the joy of softness.
And always remember the reward that is waiting for you at the other side of fear!
All my love,
Esther
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