Shifting Perfectionism
The following is an excerpt from a newsletter published December 21st, 2023
As many of us reflect on our year and look forward to new projects and commitments, it's a good time to reconsider our relationship with perfectionism.
Perfectionism is a small box. It can skew our sense of self as well as our sense of what's possible.
Looking back on your year, what are you proud of?
Not because you did it perfectly, or even particularly well, but because you did it or tried it at all.
Looking forward to next year, how can you frame your goals generously?
What's more important than getting this right/perfect? Give yourself something to aim for that's a) doable and b) meaningful to you. A generous goal leaves lots of room for you and your humanity, and it focuses on what's within your control. “Do one thing a week to pitch/promote my work.” “Do one thing a month to get in front of a new audience.” Those are different, more generous, and more actionable aims than… “Make $X a month.” “Book three new clients.” “Grow my email list.” What's worth trying, what's worth being in practice of?
To shift your relationship with perfectionism, shift what you're praising yourself for.
Are you praising yourself for effort or outcome? For things directly within your control or outside of it?
Give yourself something new to be in collaboration with.
See what happens,
— Kate
