When it comes to doing things we are passionate about, many of us strive for optimal perfection. We work, analyze, plan, and strategically lay out the action steps and pieces that need to come together for our vision to be just right. As it begins to take shape we may notice areas that need more work, attention, and focus only to find our vision of perfection is always slightly out of reach. There is always something else that can be added, tweaked, and changed to make it better and if you are like me, you may find yourself pondering how to make it better or frozen as you wait for the perfect idea to make it well, perfect.
I found myself in the perfectionist conundrum over the last few weeks as I began over thinking the necessary pieces that need to fall into place in order to have the perfect launch for my business. In my mind I had to have what many other coaches offered on their websites in order to do it the right way and to be successful and while I knew that comparing my business vision with others was a sure-fire way to lose my confidence, I still felt like certain pieces had to be just right before I could move forward.
I realized I was very wrong.
As I was reading this weekend, I stumbled across an idea that was exactly what I needed to read at that moment. In a book called The Gift of Adversity by Norman E. Rosenthal, M.D., I read a chapter that focused on the idea of perfection. According to Rosenthal, most things don’t have to be perfect to do what you want them to do. For instance, many companies will knowingly release a product that still has some bugs to be worked out as long as the bugs don’t compromise the integrity of the product known as a beta version. The beta version is somewhat of a tester that can be improved along the way. That is why we have so many versions of apps, phones, and computers. No matter what product you have purchased it is likely a work in progress since developers are always working on the next best thing.
You may be asking yourself how this applies to your dreams and my business vision.
Well, here’s how I see it. My business (and ultimately your dreams, goals, and aspirations) are always in transition. Life is nothing but a constant change of events and circumstances, so nothing ever remains the same. With that said, as I create my business intentions, services, and products I now realize whatever I create will not be what I offer for the entire life of my business. Just as I will continue to evolve as a person, so will my ideas, creations, and my business.
So, if what I begin with isn’t exactly perfect, that’s ok. I am sure there will be some mistakes and lessons along the way, but I will also learn a lot as my business progresses and I will likely learn many lessons I couldn’t learn if I wasn’t simply taking the leap. In fact, I have always been far better at on the job training that pre-training with the expectation that I just know it all. So, why should this be any different?
It shouldn’t.
I would venture a guess you too have struggled with your own progression toward your dreams/goals because you feel not ready enough. Maybe you feel like you need more classes, more training, more knowledge, or more life experience. Well I am here to tell you that’s not true. You will learn far more by moving toward your goals than you will sitting back and planning them. If you are inspired to do something, do it whether it feels perfect or not.
Beta versions aren’t all that bad, because when you think about it, aren’t we all just beta versions growing, learning, and evolving all the time?
This is great–beta testing sounds like a good way for perfectionists to approach a big project, because if something is “in testing” than it’s easy to forgive little flaws and mistakes. I’ll have to keep this in mind. 🙂
I find it helpful to remember that everything I do is a work in progress even though my intent is to always put my best foot forward. Something else I am realizing is that the mistakes and flaws are pathways to learning for next time which paves the way for more growth. Seems like a win-win. 🙂