This Blog Is Not Perfect!
I recently posted a video called “The Three P’s of Perfectionism,” and it resonated with so many of you. High achievers often struggle with perfectionism, sometimes even viewing it as a strength. But in reality, perfectionism can keep you stuck, stressed, and second-guessing yourself. This is especially true if you’re a solopreneur or small business owner, where decision-making is constant.
So, how do you know if perfectionism is a problem for you? Let’s break it down:
The Three P’s of Perfectionism
P – Paralysis – You overthink and hesitate because you fear judgment. Maybe you receive an important email but take days to respond because you’re obsessing over the perfect wording.
P – Preparation – You over-prepare! You make a list… to make another list… to make another list. You convince yourself you need just one more thing before taking action.
P – Procrastination – You push things down the road, waiting for the perfect moment that never comes. You take action only at the last possible second—if at all.
One comment on my video perfectly captured perfectionism’s trap: "I really didn’t want to watch this because I’ve already fixed my perfectionism… but I watched anyway, just in case." That’s perfectionism in action—even the act of overcoming it has to be perfect.
How Perfectionism Creeps Into Business
Many solopreneurs I coach struggle with perfectionism in their marketing. Almost all of them say they wish they were doing more on social media, but fear of judgment or not getting it just right holds them back.
Think about it—how many potential clients are you missing? How much revenue are you leaving on the table? What if, instead of chasing perfection, you focused on progress?
The Core Emotional Needs Behind Perfectionism
Perfectionism is often tied to two core emotional needs:
1️⃣ “Do I have purpose?” – You get caught up in finding the perfect path. And when you can’t find it, you stay stuck.
2️⃣ “Am I good enough?” – You seek validation through perfection. Deep down, you feel insecure and believe if you do everything perfectly, you’ll finally be enough.
If you’re curious about your core emotional need, I offer a free 60-second assessment you can take. Core Emotional Need Survey
5 Ways to Overcome Perfectionism
✅ Build Action Muscles – Take imperfect action. When I started posting content, I was nervous. Now, I’m a posting machine. It all started with that scary first step. “Practice makes better.”
✅ Be Present – Perfectionism lives in the past (where you developed limiting beliefs) and the future (where you fear failing). The present is all that matters.
✅ Fact-Check Yourself – Are you making up worst-case scenarios? Ask yourself: Is this fear real, or just a story I’m telling myself?
✅ Embrace Mistakes – No one just jumps on a bike and rides. Falling is part of the process.
✅ Celebrate Wins – If you only celebrate big successes, you’ll never feel good enough. Instead, acknowledge small wins along the way. Did you finally buy the podcast mic without researching it for months? That’s a win!
I’ll leave you with the words of the incredible Brené Brown:
“Perfectionism is a twenty-ton shield we lug around thinking it will protect us when, in fact, it’s the thing that’s really preventing us from taking flight.”
So, what’s one imperfect action you can take today? Drop a comment or reply—I’d love to hear from you!
