Perfectionism - A Dream Killer

Ah, perfectionism.  Many of our skills and qualities that made you successful in the corporate world - like perfectionism - are things that hold you back in the Unique Genius world.  There is a positive side to perfectionism in the desire to optimize something, to improve it.  But usually perfectionism takes the negative form of blocking you from starting, completing or sharing something until “it’s perfect.”  It’s corrosive, toxic and ugly and an enjoyment killer!

Perfectionism is a dream killer, and here’s how: no new idea will be perfect. Whenever you come up with a new brilliant idea - whether for a business, a book, anything - perfectionism will immediately see the flaws and shoot it down.  Bam!  Your dream’s now dead.  

Perfectionism is a special killer in the Unique Genius world, since finding your purpose and freedom can be such a ‘windy’ path. Unless you already are a living example of having fulfilling freedom, it’s probably impossible to predict where it will come from.  It requires you to be able to take steps without knowing exactly where they will lead you to.  To go step by step, trusting that one step will lead to the next (the power of baby steps!).  

Perfection comes through “messy action” and lots of “get it wrong”. If the perfectionist in you must see how a new idea will turn into a successful business - it’s not going to happen.  You must learn that you will not succeed if you believe that first you get the perfect idea and plan before doing something about it.  No!  First you start doing something (anything!), and then, with lots of trial and error, the perfect business comes from it - piece by piece - over time.  

This will be uncomfortable for many of you: if you are a pessimist and aren’t open to learning optimism, you will fail.  I apologize for being blunt, but you’re just not going to be able to find fulfilling freedom and happiness if you “see the downside” in everything, if you’re a pessimist.  You must train yourself to see the opportunities in life and in crazy ideas!  The good news is that you can train yourself to become more optimistic.  Just like anything else, it’s a habit that you can change with some diligence and persistence.

OPTIMISM TIPS from Rich Walker or Brian Johnson