Pixel Perfect: Strategies for Overcoming Perfectionism

Pixel Perfect:Strategies for Overcoming Design

Perfectionism

12 June 1964: Robben Island

Mandela is Told He Will Die There

View of the Prison Yard

Prisoners are Shamed Daily

Guards Try To Rob Your Dignity

Within 20 Minutes, He Felt Good!

“I was relieved.Nobody has thepower to take away my dignity.”

Why Perfectionism?

Brian Sullivan.Hi, my name is

@BrianKSullivan@bigdesign

#perfect

Research and Testing Expert

The Director of User Testing and Research at Tonic 3, a division of W3.

International Speaker

Writer of Books and Articles

Conference Organizer

Creative with Many Talents

Industry Speaker

Conference Organizer

“Perfectionism Kills Productivity”

Re-tweeted over 5,000 times when it was mentioned at my SxSW 2013 talk.

We Talked about Design Phrases

We Talked about People We Know

We Talked about Unicorns

We Talked about Behaviors

Contrary to popular belief, Photoshop does not solve everything!

A Previous Student Sends An Email

J. Schuh has taught at Collin College for over 15 years.

He Decides to Open Up

Dear Mr. Schuh –

I need your advice. For the past 4 years, I’ve tried to be a designer, but I keep getting fired. I find it impossible to meet deadlines, as I agonize over every pixel.

My co-workers think I am slow. I think they are sloppy. I can’t hold down a job. I try to be creative, but I never finish anything. To me, my designs are never finished.

I desperately need your advice. What should I do?

We Read Eight Books

Types of Perfectionism

Exercise #1: Perfectionist Quiz

per•fec•tion•ism (pərˈfɛk ʃəˌnɪz əm) noun

1. a belief that religious, moral, social, artistic, or political perfection is attainable.

2. a personal standard or attitude that demandsperfection and rejects anything less.

Simple Definition

Psychologist View of Perfectionism

“Perfectionism is the desire to be faultless, a fear of imperfection, equating errors as personal defects, and viewing perfection as the only route to personal acceptance.”

--T.S. Greenspon, 2008.

(Unhealthy) (Healthy)

Maladaptive Adaptive





Exercise #2: Persona Note-taking

Adam the Adaptive:1. _______________________2. _______________________3. _______________________4. _______________________5. _______________________

Personal Motto:______________________________________________________________________________

• Satisfied with achievements made from intense effort.

• Tolerate imperfections without harsh self-criticism.

• Enjoy collaboration and cooperation.

• Value self-esteem and life satisfaction.

• Regulate and adjust their emotions.

• Manage their interpersonal relationships.

• Develop a social support system.

• Perform active coping when needed

• View relationships seriously.• Watch their procrastination tendencies.

Adaptive Perfectionists

Adaptive Perfectionist Motto…

Exercise #3: Persona Note-taking

Mary the Maladaptive:1. _______________________2. _______________________3. _______________________4. _______________________5. _______________________

Personal Motto:______________________________________________________________________________

• Unattainable personal performance standards.

• Extremely self-critical in self-evaluations.

• Approach their relationships aggressively.

• Lack self-awareness in social situations.

• View their environments as competitive.

• Feel a need to control their environment.

• Very passive-aggressive in certain situations.

• Enjoy defining policies, structures, and rules.

• Despise gray areas and prefer binary thinking.

• Notorious procrastinators.

Maladaptive Perfectionists

Maladaptive Perfectionist Motto…

Profiles in Perfectionism

Picasso = Adaptive Da Vinci = Maladaptive

13,000 Pages of Sketches

Two Masterpieces

Da Vinci Only Finished 30 Pieces

Da Vinci = Maladaptive

Picasso was Prolific

Picasso = Adaptive

• Traditional

• Blue Period

• Rose Period

• African-Influenced

• Cubism

• Neo-Classicalism

• Surrealism

10 of Top 50 Paintings Sold at Auction

Both Types Can Do Great Work

Picasso = Adaptive Da Vinci = Maladaptive

Maladaptives Struggle More…

Maladaptives Can Shut Down

Remember the student, who shut down. Da Vinci did at the end, too.

ContrastCompare and

Adaptive Characteristics:1. ________________________2. ________________________3. ________________________4. ________________________5. ________________________6. ________________________7. ________________________8. ________________________9. ________________________

Maladaptive Characteristics:1. ________________________2. ________________________3. ________________________4. ________________________5. ________________________6. ________________________7. ________________________8. ________________________9. ________________________

Exercise #4: Comparison Sheet

Adaptive Maladaptive

Journey is a straight line.Journey is an irregular spiral.


Fault Finder.Benefit Finder.


Feedback is failure.Failure is feedback.

F = Feedback

F = Failure


Enjoy destination only.Enjoy destination & journey.


All or Nothing Thinking.Complex, Nuanced Thinking.


Defensive.Open to Suggestions.


Harsh.Forgiving.


Imperfections = Curses.Imperfections = Gifts.


Very, Very Rigid.Flexible and Adaptable.

I love itwhen a plan

comes together(especially mine).

Plan A,Plan B,Plan C,Plan D

Attitude is the difference

between an Ordeal

and an Adventure.

PIXEL PERFECT

PICTURE #1

Embarrassment,Humiliation,

Guilt, andShame

(not the same thing)

• Shame ≠ Guilt

• Shame ≠ Embarrassment

• Shame ≠ Humiliation

• Embarrassment ≠ Guilt

• Embarrassment ≠ Humiliation

• Embarrassment ≠ Shame

Some Words are Not Synonyms

• Humiliation ≠ Embarrassment

• Humiliation ≠ Guilt

• Humiliation ≠ Shame

• Guilt ≠ Embarrassment

• Guilt ≠ Shame

• Guilt ≠ Humiliation

Embarrassment

“Embarrassment is something that is fleeting, often eventually funny and very normal.”

-- Dr. Brene Brown (Shame Researcher)

Example of Design Embarrassment

FOLD

Know the Nuance: Embarrassment

“A bad thing happened to me. It happens to everyone. It will be over soon.”

Humiliation

The act of mortifying a person to cause a painful loss of pride, self-respect, or dignity.

Examples of Design Humiliation

A usability test can be humiliating for customers and the designers.

Know the Nuance: Humiliation

“I deserve to be treated badly by these folks. I’m different. There’ssomething wrong with me.”

Guilt

Guilt is a feeling that you have consciously done something wrong, broken a law, or let someone down. You have committed a wrongful act.

Examples of Design Guilt

You knowingly use a dark pattern to entice a person to purchase the wrong option.

In this example, the bundled option looks best by using the dark pattern called the second-best first option.



You wanted this simple, beautiful design. But, your client wanted this ugly design.

Know the Nuance: Guilt

“I have done something bad.I got caught. I need to pay for my action. I can correct it.”

Shame

Shame is an emotion in which someone sees their “self” as defective, unacceptable, or fundamentally damaged.

Shame is most often felt by victims of trauma—911 and Holocaust survivors.

Perfectionists Feel Shame

Critiques Feel Like Character Attacks

Know the Nuance: Shame

“I am a bad person. There issomething wrong with me.This thing proves it.”

Know the Nuances

Shame:“I am a bad person.”

Guilt:“I did a bad thing.”

Embarrassment:“A bad thing happened.”

Humiliation:“I deserved it to happen.”

Perfectionism = Shame

“Perfectionism is a form of shame. Where we struggle with perfectionism, we struggle with shame.”

-- Dr. Brene Brown (Shame Researcher)

Resistance Versus Resilience



ShameResistance

ShameResilience

Heart of Perfectionism

It is NOT about

RESISTANCEIt is about

RESILIENCE

Shame-Based Barriers of Perfectionism

1. Foreboding Joy

2. Procrastination

3. Sarcasm

4. Numbing

5. Viking-or-Victim

6. Smash and Grab

7. Zigzagging

Energy is contagious,

positive and negative

alike.

PIXEL PERFECT

PICTURE #2

Barrier of Foreboding Joy



Ellis Island (1890-1922)

20 MillionImmigrants

1 Million More than State of Florida

Lined Up for Health Inspections

Different Immigration Cards

They Came to America with a Dream

They Lived in Tenements

They Formed Communities

They Worked in Sweatshops

They Slept and Dreamed

Upstairs, Someone Dropped a Shoe


Foreboding joy is the fear of having your joy taken away.

Imagineif you found

no joy in your

Journey

Don’t Fully Enjoy a First Kiss

No Joy in Increased Sales

Don’t Enjoy Fully Milestones

Joy Can Be Terrifying

“The most terrifying emotion we experience as humans is joy.”

-- Dr. Brene Brown

Pixelate Perfect Moments of Joy

They Don’t Fully Enjoy Life

Perfectionists Despise Vulnerability

They Dress Rehearse Tragedy

Customers Line Up

Product Team is Stoked!

Sales Go Through the Roof

Something Must Be Wrong

THEREis

no joy in my

Journey

Exercise #5: Scenario

You have hired a new designer, who fits in with the rest of the designers and the product team loves their design. Your perfectionist boss is experiencing foreboding joy with the new hire.

1. How do you handle things with your boss?2. How do you handle things with the new hire?

The Antidote to Foreboding Joy is…

Gratitude: Enjoy the Journey

Express Gratitude at a New Launch

Express Gratitude at End of a Sprint

Gratitude is the Best Attitude

Make daily deposits of gratitude into people’s emotional bank accounts.

Positive Comment

Positive Comment

Critical Remark

Critical Remark

1-2-1 Critique: Gratitude Sandwich

Critiques = Additive, Not Competitive

In the early days, Pixar writers experienced the foreboding joy of story critiques by:

• John Lasseter

• Andrew Stanton

• Brad Bird

These meetings are done with honesty and candor.

An Original, Boring Ending

The original ending had Wall-E saving EVE from a trash compactor.

The Updated, Heartfelt Ending

Wall-E is badly damaged saving the human race. EVE repairs Wall-E.

Barrier of

Procrastination

It is a small island in Denmark. Shakespeare used as his setting for Hamlet.

Zealand Island

Prince Hamlet suspects his uncle killed his father. He delays seeking the truth.

Elsinore Castle

Act 1: Ghost of Hamlet’s father tells him to revenge his murder. Hamlet delays.

Hamlet Sees Ghost of Dead Father

Act 2, Scene 2: Hamlet has chance to kill Claudius. He delays…

Perfect Opportunity, First Delay

Act 3, Scene 1: Hamlet talks to a dead friend, Yorrick. He delays, again.

To Be or Not To Be?

Tries to Publicly Humiliate His Uncle

Act 3, Scene 3: Hamlet performs a play within the play. He delays, again.

Hamlet Still Has Bloody Thoughts

Act 4: Hamlet does not understand soldiers who fight in foreign lands. When the soldier leaves, Hamlet says how own thoughts are bloody. Hamlet still delays.

Act 5, Scene 5: Bloodbath

“There’s Something Rotten in Denmark.”

It is called procrastination. In “Hamlet”, his delay leads to a wasted life.

Purpose of Procrastination

“The purpose of procrastination is to protect us from the failure, success, or change we are terrified of, and it fulfills that purpose when we lose all hope and stop trying. It is fear-based.”

-- Hilary Rettig (2011)

Source: http://20px.com/

http://20px.com/

Source: http://20px.com/

http://20px.com/

Need to Break the Endless Cycle

You are working with a seasoned designer, who prides herself on doing pixel perfect designs. In the office, she is infamous for procrastinating.

1. Discuss project management solutions.2. What advice would you give a procrastinator?


Practice Effective Time Management

Proudly Show Early Design Concepts

Timebox Your Tasks

Test Early, Test Often

Establish a Daily Routine

Home Work Other

Shop/Gym Dinner Reading/TV Sleeping

WorkBreakfastGetting Ready Drive Time

Create Routines Within the Routine

• 09:00 AM: Answer emails and phone calls• 10:00 AM: Morning meetings• 11:00 AM: Work on projects (one hour)• 11:30 AM: Lunch• 12:30 PM: Work on projects (two hours)• 02:30 PM: Afternoon meeting (or work on projects)• 04:15 PM: Pick up child from school

Short Drive Time (estimated 5-10 minutes):• Make phone call (using Bluetooth)• Listen to podcast on design or usability• Meditate after a stressful day• Practice a presentation (for work or conference)• Make a mental checklist of things to do

Set Realistic Targets

Use Positive Self-Talk

65,000 thoughts/day. 65% are negative, roughly 42,000.

Imagination is the enemy of motivation.

Don’t Fantasize about Desired Results

Plan for Obstacles

List possible obstacles for completing an assignment, including procrastination habits. Develop counter-measures.

Reward Your Progress

Set up a reward system for positive reinforcement.Similarly, arrange small punishments for failures.

Putting It Off or Getting It Done?

“Putting it off does not make it go away. Getting it done does.”

— Ned Hallowell, Driven to Distraction

Break Large Tasks Into Smaller Units

Small chunks helps you see progress and builds momentum.

Fate or Destiny?

“Fate is what befalls a man who fails to act. Destiny is for men who refuse to accept failure, as their fate.”

— Lamar Wyatt (ABC’s Nashville)

PIXEL PERFECT

PICTURE #3

Barrier of Sarcasm

No Man is an Island

Poem by John Donne

Theme: Being Connected to Others

Simple Definition of Sarcasm

sar•cas•m (sahr-kaz-uh m) noun

1. the use of words that mean the opposite of what you really want to say in order to insult someone, to show irritation, or to be funny.

2. Greek (literal definition)…to render someone’s flesh (with a caustic remark).

Sarcasm ≠ Verbal Irony

In Seattle, a weatherman told viewers the forecast shows “sunny days ahead.”

Sarcasm ≠ Irony of Fate

An irony of fate is history’s greatest composer (Beethoven) went deaf.

Sarcasm ≠ Situational Irony

These two signs were right next to each other at a bus stop in Chicago.

Want to learn about great deals, ask the bus driver.

Don’t talk to the bus driver.

Sarcasm ≠ Dramatic Irony

The audience knows Juliet is about to wake up, but Romeo does not.

Sarcasm = Lowest Form of Wit

“Sarcasm’s insincerity offers a level of protection. At its most innocuous, it doesn’t hurt anyone and distances the speaker.

When you say the opposite of what you mean, you don’t have to own it. You’ve got someplace to hide.

You get attention, a laugh, and the upper hand —without having to stick your neck out.”

-- Dr. Jennifer Taitz

Social Media and Sarcasm

Fact: #yeahright was used 2,500+ times in one hour.

#winning #sarcasm #snicker #yeahright #fail

Body Language Can Be Sarcastic

You can be sarcastic with your body language, too. Let’s assume this guy said, “I will get right on that.” Do you believe any of these faces?

Secret Service: Social Media Sarcasm

In June 2014, Secret Services opened bids for software to detect sarcasm on social media as part of the Department of Homeland Security.

Imagine our five perfectionists using sarcasm everyday on your team.


During a design critique, two co-workers decide to make several sarcastic remarks. You do not know if you should follow their suggestions. Some of their comments seemed like personal acts. You left the room angry.

1. What do you say to the sarcastic person?2. Do you talk to your manager about it?3. What if your manager is the sarcastic person?

Antidote is to Limit Sarcasm

Create a “Sarcasm Free Zone” at work. You want open collaboration.

Use Sarcasm Like a Strong Spice

It is best to use sarcasm with close friends, who understand the humor.

Sarcasm is like a spice. Use it sparingly.

• Too much, the dish is overwhelmed.

• An occasional dash, the dish is spiced up.

• A steady serving, the dish is ruined.

Sarcasm Can Be a Form of Bullying

Perfectionists use sarcasm to disguise their hostility. Psychologists see sarcasm as a very subtle form of bullying.

Most bullies are angry, insecure, and frustrated (like perfectionists).

Pixar Uses Candor, Not Honesty

Ed Catmull devotes an entire chapter to the importance of candor.

“A hallmark of a healthycreative culture is that itspeople feel free to shareideas, opinions, and criticisms. Lack of candor,if unchecked, ultimately leads to dysfunctionalenvironments.”

Respect is the Antidote to Sarcasm

Ways to create a culture of respect:

1. Do not gossip, especially with envious people.2. Be intentional in your communication.3. Appreciate diverse opinions.4. Be a bridge builder to promote teamwork.5. Create a culture directed at competitors.6. Do not acknowledge sarcastic remarks.7. Promote ownership, so people’s voices matter.

Stop Sarcasm, Start with Empathy

Designers talk of empathy maps. How about living with empathy?

Take Your Shoes Off, Then Wear Mine

Before walking in another person’s shoes, you have to take your shoes off.

Walk a mile in my shoes. See what I see. Hear what I hear. Feel what I feel. Then, maybe, you’ll understand why I do what I do. Until then, don’t judge me.

Ask for an Explanation

If you hear a sarcastic remark, respectfully ask for clarification.

Examine Sarcasm Triggers

Some people are only sarcastic in specific situations. Examine the triggers.

Make Conversations Meaningful

Your statements should be these three things:

1. True2. Meaningful3. Necessary

Sarcasm never meets all three of these categories.

Do Not Combat with Humiliation

Humiliation is closely tied to shame, which is a severe issue with perfectionists. Be respectful and ask for clarification from the person.

If someone says a sarcastic remark about you, do not resort to humiliation. It is so tempting.

Diffuse Sarcasm By Agreeing

Sarcastic Remark: “Snails move faster than you.”Your Response: “Yes, they do. They are fast little buggers.”

When you receive a sarcastic remark, agree with them.

Announce Your Sarcasm

Sarcastic Remark: “I just thought of something sarcastic: ‘Snails move fast than you.’ I am totally joking.”

Diffuse your own sarcasm by announcing it.

PIXEL PERFECT

PICTURE #4

Barrier of

Numbing

Odysseus Visited Many Lands

Of the ancient heroes, only Hercules may have traveled more than Odysseus.

Island of Calypso (Oggygia)

In Homer’s The Odyssey, Calypso keeps Odysseus prisoner for 7 years.

Caves of Calypso

When Calypso sings, Odysseus forgets about his beloved wife, Penelope.

Hermes Tells Calypso to Release Him

Odysseus is enamored with Calypso. He is numb to all other things.

Calypso Sets Him Free

Calypso fell in love with Odysseus. She eventually sets free our numb hero.

Crazy-Busy or Numbing?

“We are culture of people who’ve bought into the idea that if stay busy enough, the truthof our lives won’t catch up to us. One of themost universal numbing strategies is whatI call crazy-busy.”

-- Dr. Brene Brown

We Numb Ourselves in Debt

U.S. household consumer debt profile:

• Average credit card debt: $15,611• Average mortgage debt: $155,192• Average student loan debt: $32,264

We Numb Ourselves with Food

• 66% of adults are overweight or obese• 35% of children struggle with obesity• By 2030, 51% of the US population may be obese• 20 years ago, no state had an obesity rate above 15%• Today 41 states have obesity rates over 25%• Since 1980, the obesity rate in teens has tripled.• 72% of older men and 67% of older women are now

overweight or obese

We Drink to Numb OurselvesIn 2014, American recycled enough aluminum cans to rebuild the entire fleet of US commercial aircrafts…twice.

And, this only accounts for what consumers recycled.

Source: American Beverage Association

Perfectionists Numb in Other Ways

Why Numbing Actually Hurts You?

“When you numb yourself, you try to not feel vulnerability. It is especially debilitating because it does not just deaden the pain of our difficult experiences; it deadens all of them—love, joy, creativity, and belonging.We cannot selectively numb an emotion. When you numb the dark, you numb the light.”

-- Dr. Brene Brown

Numbing ≠ Addiction

It is NOT about

RESISTANCEIt is about

RESILIENCE

Your manager uses different numbing methods during times of peak stress, such as before a major release or executive presentation. They drink, swear, work long hours, and smoke. They seem to promote people with same behaviors.

1. How would you handle this situation?

2. What coping strategies do you use for stress?


Antidote = Setting Boundaries

Each person is different. Identify numbing behaviors and set boundaries.

Use Positive Coping Strategies

Walking, going outdoors, or cooking a meal can be very positive ways to cope.

Plan for Breaks

Crazy-busy? It is a choice. Plan for breaks and vacations.

Manage Anxiety, Don’t Numb It

Ask for Help ≠ Weakness

Crazy-busy? Ask for help or delegate.

A lack of boundariesinvites

a lack of respect.

PIXEL PERFECT

PICTURE #4

Victim or

Viking Mentality

In DC comics, Paradise Island (Themyscira) is the home of the Amazon race.

Paradise Island

Home of Wonder Woman

In this comic, Wonder Woman is a warrior, hero, strategist, and spy.

Amazons Resemble Vikings

According to myth, Hercules and Theseus would have encounters with the Amazons. With each encounter, the Amazons would march to war.

Perfectionists: Victim or Viking?

“Either you are a Victim in life –a sucker or a

loser who’s always being taken advantage of or

can’t hold their own –or you’re a Viking –

someone who sees the threat of being

victimized as a constant, so you stay in control,

you dominate, you exert your power over

things, and you never show vulnerability.”

-- Dr. Brene Brown

Victim or a Viking?

Perfectionists do not like to show vulnerability, so they may adapt a persona.

Viking Characteristics

• Exerts power of perceived threats.• Stays in control.• Tries to dominate.• Never shows vulnerability.• Ruthlessly attacks enemies.• Uses any weapon available:

- Gossip- Schedule- Email- Deadlines- Meetings- Departmental Policies- Assignments

Victim Characteristics

• Constantly loses at home and work.• Taken advantage of by people.• Always loses, never wins.• Whines about everything.• Uses any tactic available:

- Excuses- Rationalization- Justification

• - Blame- Lying- Finger pointing- No instructions

Using Vulnerability ≠ Being Vulnerable

Viking = Invulnerable Victim = Helpless

Victim or Viking: Scary Thinking

“When we lead, teach, or preach from a gospel of Viking or Victim, win or lose, we crush faith, innovation, creativity, and adaptability to change.”

-- Dr. Brene Brown

A project manager does anything to get his way. People are either threatening or non-threatening to him. When he feels threatened, the project manager plays very dirty office politics including getting people written up and fired.

1. How do you handle this person?

2. Do ignore the behavior altogether?

Exercise #9: Viking Scenario

A co-worker continually whines about how things are unfair with work assignments. He constantly gets other people to his work. They “work” from home, but nobody believes him. This person says that he feels helpless.

1. How do you handle this person?

2. Do ignore the behavior altogether?

Exercise #10: Victim Scenario

Antidote = Relationship Building

Cultivate trust and commitment to counter Viking-Victim mentality.

Build an Emotional Bank Account

An emotional bank account

is a metaphor for improving

and maintaining scorecards

with your relationships.

The account begins with a

neutral balance. You make

deposits and withdrawals

based on your interactions with people.

Sometimes, It is Full

Sometimes, It is Injured

Sometimes, It is on Empty

Sadly, It Can Be Broken

Broken Banks Can Be Repaired

Mostly, It Grows and Shrinks

And, You Manage Multiple Banks

20,000Daily Interactions

The Golden Ratio is 5:1

Healthy relationships strive for 5 positive interactions to each 1 negative one.

Deposit = Listening with Empathy

Most people do not listen with the intent to understand. They listen with the intent to reply. -- Stephen Covey

Deposit = Keeping Commitments

Showing up to work on time, meeting your deadlines, attending meetings, doing what you say, and fulfilling obligations are regular deposits you make.

Deposit = Fighting with Respect

Every working relationship will have arguments and disagreements. When you do, always keep your communication respectful.

Deposit = Remember Little Things

All the little things count and they are the building blocks of our daily lives. Remembering a birthday, getting coffee, or a smile adds up.

Apologize for Withdrawals

When you make a mistake, apologize immediately. It’s a learning experience. Keep your account in the positive, which you have worked hard to create.

Antidote for Ideas: Story Building

At Pixar, Ed Catmull explains that originality is very fragile:

“In its first form, the films arefar from pretty. We call them‘ugly babies.’ They neednurturing—in the form of time and patience—in order to grow.”

Pixar usually gives 2-3 years to turn an “ugly baby” into a film.

The Beast and The Baby

With ideas, you can develop a Viking-or-Victim mentality, too.After the success of Toy Story 2, the Pixar team was exhausted.

It took nearly five years to create Monsters, Inc.

Pixar wanted to feed the beast, produce another sequel. Yet, the creatives wanted to protect the ugly babies.

Balancing The Beast and Ugly Babies

For Pixar, their Brain Trust (John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, Brad Bird) balances the Hungry Beast and the Ugly Babies.

Design Studios: UX Ugly Baby Solution

For UX Designers, the Design Studio method provides us with a great mechanism to protect ugly babies..

PIXEL PERFECT

PICTURE #4

Barrier of Smash

and Grab

Easter Island

Known for Its Rock Statues

Two Mysteries Solved

For many years, historians tried to determine two things about Easter Island:

1. How were the statues created there?

2. Where did all of the people go?

Both mysteries got solved a few years ago.

Statues Were Pushed Up

Local inhabitants used stones, wood, and brute force to push the statues up.

Massive Deforestation Led to Collapse

The tribe on Easter Island was over 10,000 people during its height. When Captain Cook landed, it was reduced to about 100 people. It was avoidable.

Smash and Grab = Manipulation Tool

“The smash and grab occurs when someone smashes through people’s social boundaries with intimate information, then grab whatever attention and energy you can get your hands on…in our social media world, it’s increasingly difficult to determine what’s a real attempt to connect and what’s performance.”

-- Dr. Brene Brown

Helicopter Story of Brian Williams

Brian Williams was suspended from NBC for six months for smashing-and-grabbingheadlines about riding with Seal Team Six when their helicopter was under fire.

Gossiping is Smash-and-Grab

Gossiping is a smash-and-grab. Someone gossips to draw negative attention towards one of their rivals. Conversely, they start a rumor to draw attention to their self.

Seven Types of Social Sharing

90% of social sharing is about sharing relevant information with your connections. 10% of social sharing is a form of smash-and-grab (showing off, getting a reaction).

Smash and Grab = Manipulation Tool

“With smash and grab, perfectionists use vulnerability to connect with people. It is a way to fast-forward intimacy.”

-- Dr. Brene Brown

You have worked for two years designing a new product. A marketing person is assigned one week before the release. Several people share details about the last two years. She uses this information to take credit for the past two years.

1. How do you handle this situation?

2. What other smash-and-grabs have you seen?


Antidote = Understand the Intention

Protect yourself and others. Understand the reason(s) you might be hearing this information. Is it a smash and grab? Is there a legitimate business reason?

Tell Your Story to People Who Earn It

You do not want to share information with people, who have not earned it. They will misunderstand you.

Don’t Share Fresh Wounds Publicly

Allow for cooling off periods before sharing information with people. An unhealthy perfectionist will use it against you.

A Simple Checklist

What need is driving this behavior?

What outcome do I want?

Does it align with my values?

Is this sharing in the service of connection?

Am I genuinely asking people for what I need?

Since design is very collaborative, it is easy to mistake need for intimacy. For some reasons, artists and designers crave intimacy and attention.

If the words don’t add up,it’s usually because the truth wasn’t included

in the equation.

PIXEL PERFECT

PICTURE #5

Barrier of

Zigzagging

Ship-Trap Island

Setting for the short story called “The Most Dangerous Game”

Rainsford Battles General Zaroff

Our hero runs for his life, zigzagging over Ship-Trap Island.

Dodges Traps Before Final Showdown

Rainsford narrowly escapes 10 different traps before finally killing Zaroff.

Zigzagging = Avoiding

In some cases, perfectionists want to avoid conflict. So, they delay a potential confrontation for a long time.

Zigzagging = Disengaging

In some cases, perfectionists want to disengage from work and people.They duck, dodge, and de-prioritize tasks. They major in the minors!

Zigzagging ≠ Procrastination

Unlike procrastination, zigzagging is actually doing work-related activities. Procrastination is finding other things to do (laundry, watch a movie, sleep).

Similar to Maslow’s Jonah Complex

Maslow states, "So often we run away from the responsibilities dictated by nature, by fate, or by accident, just as Jonah tried—in vain—to run away from his fate."

Postpone a Hard Meeting

Perfectionist Meeting Has

Been Postponed to Next Week

Clean Your Desk, Again and Again

You are zigzagging when you clean your desk rather than finishing a project.

Waiting for the Perfect Moment

You go through multiple scenarios and seem to freeze up.

“We fear our highest (and lowest) possibilities. We are

generally afraid to become that which we can glimpse

in our most perfect moments, under the most perfect

conditions, under conditions of great courage.

We enjoy and thrill to the godlike possibilities we see

in ourselves in such peak moments. Yet, we

simultaneously shiver with weakness, awe, and fear

before these very same possibilities.”

-- Abraham Maslow

You know you should have a difficult discussion with another designer. You notice you have been avoiding this confrontation. You find other work to do, but you know the problem will only get worse. You zigzag constantly.

1. How do you stop zigzagging?

2. How do you handle difficult conversations?


Knowledgeis in

the EndBased on

Acknowledgement

Antidote = Name Your Fear

• Fear of the Unknown

• Fear of Change

• Fear of Sudden Pain

• Fear of Failure

• Fear of Losing Control

• Fear of the Spotlight

• Fear of New Ideas

• Fear of the Future

• Fear of Your Identity

• Fear of Standing Out

• Fear of Being Ridiculed

• Fear of Responsibility

• Fear of Massive Success

• Fear of Being Exposed

• Fear of New People

• Fear of New Technology

“To avoid criticism do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.” -Elbert Hubbard

Next Step is to Take Action

In the US Army, Captains tell their soldiers to shoot, move, and communicate.

The Most Dangerous Game

Rainsford continually acknowledged his situation, moved, and communicated.

Fear Has Two Meanings

• Negative = Forget Everything And Run

• Positive = Face Everything And Rise

It is really a choice!!!

There are only two options:

make progress ormake excuses.

PIXEL PERFECT

PICTURE #6

The Pit and

the Pendulum

SafeZone

SafeZone

SafeZone

SafeZone

CreativityZone

CreativityZone

CreativityZone

CreativityZone

Risk Zone

Risk Zone

InnovationZone

CreativityZone

CreativityZone

Risk Zone

InnovationZone

CreativityZone

InnovationZone

Risk Zone

CreativityZoneSafe

ZoneSafeZone

CreativityZone

InnovationZone

Risk Zone

CreativityZoneSafe

ZoneSafeZone

DeadZone

Exercise #13: GOSPA Worksheet

Example: GOSPA Worksheet

Reduce my own procrastination

Improve my time management

1. Project time management2. Manage my deliverables

1. Time management training2. Training on specific tools

1. Attend time manager webinar2. Put dates on team calendar

It’s better to cross the line

and suffer the consequences

than to just stare at that line

for the rest of your life.

Final Thoughts

11 February 1990: Robben Island

Nelson Mandela is Released

24 June 1995: Rugby World Cup

Mandela Takes Team to Robben Island

Mandela Talks about Invictus

Mandela Shares Another Story

He Removes Foreboding Joy

They are playing on their home field. Mandela says the nation is grateful.

He Removes Procrastination

He tells them to play with a sense of purpose and urgency.

He Removes Sarcastic Remarks

The retreat to Robben Island provided focus.

Their Training = No Numbing

Mandela talk about how they are prepared. They can do it.

He Removes Viking-Victim Thinking

Mandela tells them that they are men with wives and children, too.

He Removes Smash and Grab

Mandela took them away to Robben Island to focus and avoid the press.

Seize the Moment, Don’t Zigzag

They were playing New Zealand in a few hours. Face the competition.

It was NOT about

RESISTANCEIt was about

RESILIENCE

South Africa Wins Championship

Pixel Perfect:Strategies for Overcoming Design

Perfectionism

Career

Pixel Perfect: Strategies for Overcoming Perfectionism