Wrong!
Not wishing to do something unless it is done right is simply an excuse when you are afraid of messing up or getting it wrong!
In business, waiting for the 'right time', 'best moment', 'having all the research' before taking action can be commercial suicide. When you procrastinate, it is just like saying that you don't feel confident in your abilities.
Research has found that people with low self-esteem set lower expectations for their performance,
underestimate their capabilities and set less challenging or
mediocre goals which leads to putting in
less effort than those with high self esteem.
[1], [2], [3]
If you, or the people in your team, are over deliberating on decisions, over analysing issues, or discussing more than taking action then you are creating unnecessary stress that will hinder both yours and your team's performance.
Becoming resilient to pressure is about being able to both 'toughen up' when appropriate as well as 'let go' when you need to. Letting go of perfectionism, allows you to try, learn and progress. You cannot learn or progress if you are not prepared to try something and make mistakes.
* If you are running a business, have you found yourself not making calls or seeing new people because you tell yourself that 'I'm not ready yet....I need more time?'. Realize that your perfectionism is stunting your business potential.
* If you have ever set yourself a goal, whether it be to lose weight, get fit, make more money, join a club, etc., but hear yourself saying..'not today, I'm better off doing all the research first before I start anything.' Realize that your perfectionism is stopping you from achieving what you want from life.
* If you have ever been involved with a big project and felt that sense of overwhelm where you 'just don't know where to start'. Realize that your perfectionism is hindering your productivity.
* If you have been in a relationship and have started to notice several things you don't like about your partner, and you feel compelled to 'heal this poor soul'. Realize that your perfectionism will be stopping you from truly connecting with other people.
You create stress when you fail to 'let go' of pressures that drain you
Three Action Steps:
1. Allow yourself to make mistakes - learn - move on. [4]Educator Donald Kennedy has similar feelings 'A lot of disappointed people have been left standing on the street corner waiting for the bus marked Perfection.'
You will be creating stress in your life if you are trying to be the perfect person, do a perfect job or find the perfect opportunity.
It doesn't exist.
Stop waiting.
Stop researching.
Start trying......start making mistakes and be a little imperfect.
2. Just do it. According to ancient prophecy, whoever could untie the 'Gordian Knot' was destined to become King of Asia. All who tried failed to solve this strangely complicated puzzle. Then Alexander the Great had a turn. After fruitless attempts to find a starting point, he was stymied.
Finally, he said "I'll just have to make up my own knot-untying rules....". He pulled out his sword and sliced the knot in half. Asia was fated to him.
Let go of perfection - just get on with it and do it!
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REFERENCES:[1] Coopersmith, 1967; Kiesler & Baral, 1970,
http://adtimes.nstp.com.my/jobstory/2001/may19a.htm [2] Heatherton & Ambady, 1993,
http://adtimes.nstp.com.my/jobstory/2001/may19a.htm[3] Diggory, Klein, & Cohen, 1964; Wattenberg and Clifford, 1964,
http://adtimes.nstp.com.my/jobstory/2001/may19a.htm
