If you’re a (a) perfectionist and/or (b) procrastinator, here’s a quick tip for you.
Getting Organized Quick Tip #1:
Don’t over-engineer.
Start with the simple version.
Lower your target and you may well improve your aim.
This applies whether you’re organizing your closet, decluttering the living room, starting an exercise program or anything else.
Getting started can be the hardest part of any change. To make a start and gain momentum, it’s a great liberator to let yourself opt for the baseline version of a task or challenge.
And you know what? You can always come back and improve, tweak, refine and raise the bar later.
Importantly, choosing the simple version helps you bypass the dreaded twin peaks of perfectionism and procrastination:
- It takes the perfectionism pressure off – you’re no longer aiming for perfect.
- It reduces the drive to procrastinate – the task is much less overwhelming.
Try it – and let me know if it helps you with your personal organization and goals.
Image by ToniVC
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My sister taught me a form of this in scrapbooking. “Done is better than perfect,” she’d say after struggling over a page layout and giving up trying to do something really special with it.
My brother taught me this and it works really well till I fall back into the old habit again. I trick myself into doing more and more till I’ve accomplished a huge task. Which makes me feel so great , that I bite off too much next time, then lose heart when overwhelmed again. Dang it!
I was once told (by a very wise person) that I am an “inefficient perfectionist.” Sums it up to a tee! I always appreciate tips like this!
So true! My (old, yet sometimes still lurking) perfectionist self wanted the biggest, best, sparkliest, most fantabulous version of whatever I was trying to do. Unfortunately that often intimidated me so much I never started. Now I trick myself into just doing the project to the point where I can achieve the intended result. Just like you say, I can tweak (and add sparkle) later if it really needs it. Yay for choosing the simple version! Thank you for the reminder Michele. Best, Arienne
I think perfectionists like us can never escape that inner voice Arienne, we have to trick it. But soon it becomes more gentle. 🙂
Good advice. I always lament over everything to the point that I am overwhelmed and just do nothing. In my mind, I think that things have to be lined up “just so” before I can do them…wrong. Just take a step and GO!
That’s the answer Shari! You might also like this: http://www.getorganizedwizard.com/blog/2011/07/3-great-reasons-to-start-today/ 🙂
Thanks, Michelle. I am thinking of ordering The Design your life -12 month program as well. I have struggled with ADD and procrastination issues my whole life. This program looks awesome and will coordinate well with the treatment for my ADD.
Michele, I agree that it is important to start of with small bite-sized steps. An acceptance of where you are at this point and then taking continuous action towards your goal is what works for me. Also, never underestimate the need to keep setting knew goals once you have accomplished one 🙂
That’s a great reminder Thomas – thank you!
This is 100% true 🙂
Getting Organized Quick Tip: How To Short-Circuit Perfectionism and Procrastination http://ow.ly/2bwcG
I like this idea of avoiding the temptation to be perfect.
Another good idea: do one easy thing first, then do the hard thing second. Just make sure you do the hard thing :o) don’t go on to other easy things.
I can’t wait to read your other tips:
unpacking groceries, social media… this is a gold mine!
Thanks,
Nonnahs Driskill
Another “just do it!” kind of post: don’t overthink it http://tr.im/qmBx
#Organization :Getting Organized Quick Tip: How To Short-Circuit Perfectionism and #Procrastination http://bit.ly/19LXMQ #Self-Improvement
[So true!] RT @RuudHein: Doing vs Thinking about Doing: Don’t over-engineer. Start simple http://bit.ly/QeWiv
Doing vs Thinking about Doing: Don’t over-engineer. Start simple http://bit.ly/QeWiv
Stop procrastinating!! http://is.gd/1fAdL c/o @MicheleConnolly
@GillDeCosemo RT Stop procrastinating!! http://is.gd/1fAdL c/o @MicheleConnolly Thanks for that, just what I needed to get me going!
Stop procrastinating!! http://is.gd/1fAdL c/o @MicheleConnolly