The problem with perfectionists, albeit not the only one, is that they kill things. I know. I am one. I can kill things deader than, well, a doornail.
Pessimism? Criticism? Check and check. If I don’t keep the spirit of perfectionism under control, it ruins everything. The work sours. I sour. Nothing gets done. I sink into a downward spiral of mean, nasty thoughts.
The problem only magnifies if I’m responsible for a project or other people. A standard of excellence is good; a standard of perfectionism is not. The latter destroys. It prevents projects from being completed. It impales people to the wall.
A spirit or standard of perfectionism says, “One more revision, please.” It explains, “This is the first (insert infographic, sales sheet, eBook here) we’ve done. It has to be right.” It falls over itself with apologies for delays: “Sorry for the holdup. We just want to get it right, you know?”
I do know. I know there’s a time and place for more revisions. I’ve gone through them as a copywriter and editor. The tone and approach aren’t right. It’s a fair criticism. The project should be delayed until the work aligns with the aims for it.
I also know there’s a time and place to set aside the revisions. The copy is good. It was done to the best of one’s ability. It received criticism and revisions. It can go to design. It does not have to perfect, at least, not perfect in the perfectionist’s sense of the word.
Copy and design can always be revised. They should be. They aren’t set in stone. They won’t ever reach that point, though, if they get stuck in a cycle of “one more revision” and “we just want to get it right.”
Stop being perfect. It’s killing the company. Aim for excellence instead.
Image: Rebecca Murphey (Creative Commons)