Excellence vs Perfection — How to Keep Your Head in the Game

Stepping toward excellence vs. perfection is all about your choices and your success. But are you able to keep the two sorted for yourself? Indeed, one of the great illusions about perfectionism is that it is the pursuit of excellence.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Excellence is smothered by perfectionism.  As artist and…

Perfectionism – How It Distorts and Poisons

I recently heard a story that shines a light on the cost of perfectionism in a new way. It opened my eyes to an effect of this time thief that had not occurred to me before. A friend and colleague told me about a situation years ago when she was doing an annual review with…

Stop Perfectionism in Its Tracks with Compassion — More Timely Tips

In a previous blog post about the childhood roots of perfectionism, I shared 3 tips to help you deal with perfectionism. This self-sabotaging time thief at once slows you down and wounds you. It presents you with an impossible goal, no matter what you’re doing. Then it proceeds to criticize what you produce and eat…

The Perfectionism Trap Doesn’t Have to Trip You Up Today, or Ever

Perfectionism is definitely a trap. Parading as a worthy goal, it keeps you stuck and perpetually discouraged with yourself. So, overcoming perfectionistic tendencies and altering perfectionistic choices helps to free you up to be your most creative and productive self. Conversely, allowing perfectionism to hobble you and steal your energy and confidence leaves you endlessly spinning…

Stop Perfection Paralysis in Its Tracks — Listen to Your Inner Adult

How do you get yourself moving when what I call ‘Perfection Paralysis’ has you stuck? Interestingly, the answer can be found in some questions. Clear, direct questions are one of the best antidotes to perfectionism because they help you unmask the unrealistic expectations and self-critical energy that keep you stuck. Until you deal with it, Perfection…

Perfection Paralysis – Overcome It with 3 Tips

Perfection isn’t something you can attain. It is a goal that is unreachable and that freezes you in your tracks. I call it perfection paralysis, and today I want to share with you 3 tips for overcoming this discouraging and insidious time thief. These are action-oriented suggestions