PERFECTIONISM IS THE PROBLEMPERFECTIONISM IS THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE TO CREATIVITY AND ADVANCEMENT. IT PREVENTS US FROM ACHIEVING OUR GOALS, GETTING STARTED WITH A PROJECT AND ACHIEVING FULFILMENT.

THE ILLUSION OF PERFECTION

• Perfectionism is one of the biggest obstacles to achieving our goals.

• It prevents us from even starting.

• It keeps us stuck in a place where we think we don’t have what it takes to achieve our dreams.

WHAT IS PERFECT?

• PERFECT

• adjective | PER · FECT | \ˈpər-fikt\

• : having no mistakes of flaws

• : completely correct or accurate

• : having all the qualities you want in that person, situation, etc…

WHAT IS PERFECTIONISM?

• PERFECTIONISM

• noun | PER · FEC · TION · ISM | \-shə-ˌni-zəm\

• : a disposition to regard anything short of perfection as unacceptable

–Wikipedia

Perfectionism is a behaviour characterised by

a person's striving for flawlessness

and setting excessively high performance standards

accompanied by overly critical self-evaluations

and concerns regarding others' evaluations.

PERFECTIONISM IS THE UNREALISTIC EXPECTATION TO ACHIEVE UNATTAINABLE GOALSAND TO DERIVE OUR SELF-WORTH FROM IT.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

1. We set unrealistic expectations, we aim for results that are NOT actually attainable. Not in those conditions, or with those resources, or in the time we have.

2. We compare our results with the previously set expectations.

3. We notice how we fell short.

4. We derive our self-worth from the result of this comparison. If we succeeded, we experience euphoria. If we failed, we experience low self-esteem and depressive feelings.

IT WORKS BECAUSEIT IS BASED ON A SELF-BELIEF: DEEP DOWN, WE BELIEVE WE ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

WHAT IS ENOUGH THEN?

ENOUGH CAN BE ANYTHING. ENOUGH IS SELF-DEFINED. ENOUGH DOESN’T EXIST.

THE STANDARDS ARE SELF-IMPOSED. I AM ENOUGH.YOU ARE ENOUGH. WE ARE WHOLE AND WE ARE ENOUGH.

THE PRECURSORS OF PERFECTIONISM ARETHE NEED TO BE ACCEPTED, TO BE LOVED, TO BE CARED FOR.

WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?

• Many of us believe that the problem is they’re not good enough and they need to change something about themselves. The real problem is:

• Believing that being loved, liked, and appreciated depend on specific standards and conditions.

• Believing that we’re missing something – as a result of comparison with an unattainable goal.

Accepting who you are, as you are, can feel counter-intuitive if you believe that

perfectionism is the key to self-improvement.

But it’s not.

There’s no self-improvement without self-acceptance.

CREATE SOMETHING FROM NOTHING

• Perfectionism is the biggest obstacle to creativity and advancement.

• Believing that we are good enough gives us the freedom to create, make mistakes, learn, grow and build.

UNCERTAINTY, VULNERABILITY AND FEAR OF REJECTION

• Creating something forces us to make space for uncertainty. Uncertainty is uncomfortable.

• The fear that our work can be rejected can paralyse us. It makes us feel vulnerable.

• When we believe we are not good enough, we attach our worth to our work. If our work is rejected, we feel rejected.

WE NEED TO LET GO OF PERFECTION IN FAVOUR OF MOTION.

We need to make space for passion, learning and exploration.

INTENTION IS WAY MORE IMPORTANT THAN PERFECTION

• It takes about 5 years to become an expert.

• From year 1 to year 5, you need to act despite being aware that you are not an expert yet.

• All the work you do before being an expert is a product of courage and intention.

STOP BEING A PERFECTIONIST

• Make a reality check of your expectations. What is realistic? What is unrealistic? Choose realistic expectations.

• Make space to create something that doesn’t exist yet. Give it the space to be born and tested without having to bear unrealistic expectations.

• In other words, don’t kill your projects before they even have a chance to make it.

STOP BEING A PERFECTIONIST

• Be aware that you are on a learning process. Mistakes are to be expected: take them seriously but not personally.

• Consider that the world has more to lose than to gain if you don’t give your contribution.

WHY NOT YOU? WHY NOT NOW?

THANK YOU!

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