Your advice to 'just get out there and do it' is a powerful antidote to procrastination and perfectionism. I've often found myself waiting for the 'perfect' moment to share my work, only to realize that such a moment never truly arrives.
It is what kept me in my PhD for about 2 years too long.
Your story is a reminder that taking action, even imperfectly, is the only way to move forward.
I do have to give you kudos though...anyone who went through all the hoops and jumps to complete a PhD is utterly amazing! To do that you have grit, consistency, determination, discipline, wisdom, and so much more! Everyone has their own process...who cares how long it took, you finished!
I've always had that impulse to "create the world's best," even when I was a kid building model cars; painting every bolt on the little plastic engine, researching which stock colors GM had put out for that year and model. As a result, I seldom finished, often overwhelming myself and giving up.
I can't say that I've changed. A few years ago I was building acoustic guitars, and just like with my models, even the unseen braces on the inside of the soundbox were sculpted and sanded to perfection! I stopped building after two years, with only two completed instruments and two more incomplete.
But I don't feel this perfection impulse of mine is a flaw. Nor do I feel it's a trait to espouse. Rather, it is just how things have been for this person ("me"). In writing, I seem to have found a creative activity that I can both apply my need for being fully satisfied with my results ( my version of "perfectionism"), and actually finish the job!
In the end, I think that you're right, though; whatever your impulses, perceptions, and fears, its best to go forward and do/create/be anyway!!
You built acoustic guitars?! I bet my Hobbit would love to see and play what you built! They are probably amazing works of art: visually, aesthetically, and vibrationally. I truly believe that when we make things with our hands they bear the love of our energy inside them and vibrate with that joy. Musical instruments especially.
As for writing, it is one of those things that cannot be perfected. you can keep editing and revising ad nauseum and still don't reach a level of perfection.
I don't know how or where, possibly somewhere on a yoga mat, I lost my perfectionism tendencies. Especially in terms of my creative endeavors. I am able to write and just put it out there without thinking too much about it being "perfect" or "right". I didn't used to be this way, but I think years of hip-openers wrenched that tight-right-ness right out of me.
I share your sentiments about musical instruments and writing. And it's affirming to learn that your "tight-right-ness" melted away with enough practice.
I admire you for embracing your perfection impulse rather than trying to hide, change or fix it. You find absolute satisfaction in writing, editing and publishing to your standard of excellence. What a beautiful relationship. 👏
When I'm not herding dogs, I organize. This is one way I care for myself, and it feels good. Right now, I'm typing this in a coffee shop. How is Tucson?
I feel like I've always had that impulse too: to be the very best in the world. It got to be too much for me when a loved one criticized my painstakingly perfect drawing. It made me stop creating for a very long time.
Until....
I got out of my comfort zone and started writing. It has been very healing to let myself write and let it be 80% good enough, and hit that publish button.
"To be the very best in the world." What a strong statement. It's heartening to hear you have found it healing to let 80% be good enough. I feel relief in this.
Wise words. Thank you for the encouragement. These past few weeks there have been several times where I was going to skip posting. Eff it, no one will even notice because I don’t have many subscribers. But, you know what, I didn’t. Even though I told myself my writing was shit. I posted. I didn’t give up on myself. And that, my friend, is a BFD. A win in my book.
As you say, that's fantastic and a BFD. It's also great that you wrote several times when you didn't want to. Your experience helps confirm my belief that we ultimately create for ourselves. And if others want to join, all the better. Keep writing, posting and celebrating. 👏
I know that feeling. I have convinced myself to skip posting, and sometimes I post "late" (I put that in quotes because late according to my own rules). However, I haven't missed a weekly post yet. They just sort of push themselves out of me. Writing is embedded into me.
Y'all really getting me fired up to create!
I've been playing around in my notebook with out of the ordinary things. It's been fun!
I'm really curious and excited to see what those out of the ordinary things are and what they might manifest into.
It feels great to learn you're fired up to create and having fun building out of the box, Sam. I'm inspired.
Your advice to 'just get out there and do it' is a powerful antidote to procrastination and perfectionism. I've often found myself waiting for the 'perfect' moment to share my work, only to realize that such a moment never truly arrives.
It is what kept me in my PhD for about 2 years too long.
Your story is a reminder that taking action, even imperfectly, is the only way to move forward.
You know from personal experience all the permutations and effects of procrastination, Alex. It feels good to know I'm not alone.
As cliche as it is, there's still no substitute for "just doing it," regardless of timing or planning.
Indeed. Waiting for perfection has kept me stuck.
Haha. You too?
I do have to give you kudos though...anyone who went through all the hoops and jumps to complete a PhD is utterly amazing! To do that you have grit, consistency, determination, discipline, wisdom, and so much more! Everyone has their own process...who cares how long it took, you finished!
Is this a sketch of you. I love it. 🥰
The face and hair are delightfully accurate, Ruby. However, this image makes me look bigger and stronger than I am. ;)
It's interesting how others (even if "others" is AI) sees you. I'm guessing you are stronger than you think you look.
I'm guessing you're right. :)
🙏🏼
Thank you, Sarah.
I've always had that impulse to "create the world's best," even when I was a kid building model cars; painting every bolt on the little plastic engine, researching which stock colors GM had put out for that year and model. As a result, I seldom finished, often overwhelming myself and giving up.
I can't say that I've changed. A few years ago I was building acoustic guitars, and just like with my models, even the unseen braces on the inside of the soundbox were sculpted and sanded to perfection! I stopped building after two years, with only two completed instruments and two more incomplete.
But I don't feel this perfection impulse of mine is a flaw. Nor do I feel it's a trait to espouse. Rather, it is just how things have been for this person ("me"). In writing, I seem to have found a creative activity that I can both apply my need for being fully satisfied with my results ( my version of "perfectionism"), and actually finish the job!
In the end, I think that you're right, though; whatever your impulses, perceptions, and fears, its best to go forward and do/create/be anyway!!
You built acoustic guitars?! I bet my Hobbit would love to see and play what you built! They are probably amazing works of art: visually, aesthetically, and vibrationally. I truly believe that when we make things with our hands they bear the love of our energy inside them and vibrate with that joy. Musical instruments especially.
As for writing, it is one of those things that cannot be perfected. you can keep editing and revising ad nauseum and still don't reach a level of perfection.
I don't know how or where, possibly somewhere on a yoga mat, I lost my perfectionism tendencies. Especially in terms of my creative endeavors. I am able to write and just put it out there without thinking too much about it being "perfect" or "right". I didn't used to be this way, but I think years of hip-openers wrenched that tight-right-ness right out of me.
I share your sentiments about musical instruments and writing. And it's affirming to learn that your "tight-right-ness" melted away with enough practice.
it took a lot of yoga.
Thanks, Teri! :-)
I admire you for embracing your perfection impulse rather than trying to hide, change or fix it. You find absolute satisfaction in writing, editing and publishing to your standard of excellence. What a beautiful relationship. 👏
Thanks, Ryan. How are you doing?
When I'm not herding dogs, I organize. This is one way I care for myself, and it feels good. Right now, I'm typing this in a coffee shop. How is Tucson?
Jennifer and I had a great time and now we’re on the bus home to hyannis from the airport in Boston.
I look forward to hearing about your trip to Tucson, Don.
welcome home!
I feel like I've always had that impulse too: to be the very best in the world. It got to be too much for me when a loved one criticized my painstakingly perfect drawing. It made me stop creating for a very long time.
Until....
I got out of my comfort zone and started writing. It has been very healing to let myself write and let it be 80% good enough, and hit that publish button.
"To be the very best in the world." What a strong statement. It's heartening to hear you have found it healing to let 80% be good enough. I feel relief in this.
I feel relief too 😁
relief is such a sweet feeling. it's like softness offered in a world of sharpness.
I like that idea of the 80% rule. And sometimes it just might have to be the 50% rule.
I love this sketch of you!
Ha, I'm glad you liked it, Shiva! Welcome to Substack, my friend from X.
Welcome Shiva! we are happy to have you here on Substack and at The Creator Retreat!
Wise words. Thank you for the encouragement. These past few weeks there have been several times where I was going to skip posting. Eff it, no one will even notice because I don’t have many subscribers. But, you know what, I didn’t. Even though I told myself my writing was shit. I posted. I didn’t give up on myself. And that, my friend, is a BFD. A win in my book.
As you say, that's fantastic and a BFD. It's also great that you wrote several times when you didn't want to. Your experience helps confirm my belief that we ultimately create for ourselves. And if others want to join, all the better. Keep writing, posting and celebrating. 👏
I know that feeling. I have convinced myself to skip posting, and sometimes I post "late" (I put that in quotes because late according to my own rules). However, I haven't missed a weekly post yet. They just sort of push themselves out of me. Writing is embedded into me.
As it is with me. My sanity. Sending 🫶🏼
Very cool 😎
It's nice to see you here Ruby. thank you for commenting.
Thank you, Ruby.