Why Perfectionism is Killing Your Business Dreams

All too often I hear people talk about the “right time”. As if at some point in their life, everything will be absolutely perfect- their finances, their workload, their support systems, everything. I hear how they just aren’t sure where to begin, how to start, what to do. They’re hyper-focused on what other people will think of them. Will they be judged for posting on social media? Will people laugh at them? What if nobody likes what they’re doing?

Then comes the comparison game. If only I had a house like that influencer does, then my videos would look better. If only I knew where to find an investor to invest in my business idea, then I could get started. All of these “if only’s” and suddenly all of the emphasis on your business dreams are in everyone else’s hands but your own.

But let me tell you the harsh reality of the world, nothing and nobody are perfect. There is no “right” time. There is no “perfect” way to do something. And if you are waiting for things to be that way, you have waited for too long my friend.

Now don’t be fooled, I fall into this mindset all the time and constantly have to pull myself from the trenches. But I recently saw a post that connected with me. It said:

“If you aren’t posting because your posts aren’t perfect, then you aren’t a creator, you’re a perfectionist.”

And well, DAMN! Did that hit me like a ton of bricks. Being in an industry that relies heavily on social media for my marketing, I have to post. And I have to post often. If I want clientele to find me and resonate with me, I have to post regularly. I have to market not just my work, but myself as well. But all too often I fumble and get caught up in the perfectionists mindset. And it kills my business. I go days and weeks on end missing out on the opportunity to connect with potential clients.

Waiting for things to align perfectly, look perfectly, perform flawlessly, is only going to halt your business goals and dreams. It’s only going to continue to push off the start of your dreams, or maybe push off the next step in your business venture.

Ultimately, waiting for perfect is a death sentence.