Taking Action: Nobody’s Perfect

Hannah Montanna

As I was typing that blog post title, I couldn’t help but think about my daughter Ava…

She’s the typical 6 year old girl–energetic, vivacious, full of life…

…and a HUGE Hannah Montana fan.

Now, if you’ve got kids of your own (especially girls) then you know who Hannah Montana is.

She’s the biggest teen pop star in the world, with a top-rated Disney Channel TV show and sold out concerts nationwide–not to mention a marketing and merchandising blitz that’s simply staggering.

And my daughter is crazy about her. She struts around the house, holding an empty paper towel to her lips and singing Hannah’s hits at the top of her lungs.

Especially this one, which goes something like:

“Nobody’s perfect, I gotta work it, again and again ’til I get it riiiiight…”

It’s adorable (which most everything my daughter does is, but obviously I’m biased) and even a little eye- opening.

Because it ties directly into what we’ve been talking about lately.

You see, when it comes to taking action, many entrepreneurs get caught in the snare of trying to create perfection.

We never feel like our product or service is exactly where we want it to be. So we tweak and we tweak and we tweak some more.

But nothing ever REALLY gets done. The project is always in a perpetual state of creation. Which means it’s eventually doomed to be shelved.

You know what I’m talking about. Either we get bogged down in the details…or something else comes along that bumps it to the side…or we simply lose interest.

And your “big idea” becomes another casualty to the scourge of perfection.

I’ve been doing a lot of studying about why this happens, and I’ve come up with some interesting findings…

Seems many experts agree that being a perfectionist is usually tied to low self esteem and an inflated concern over what others think.

I know–that really struck me too. I always thought perfectionism was just another excuse to not get started. But it obviously goes much deeper than that.

Perfectionists generally seek approval in areas where they don’t approve of themselves. They’re trying to fill a void in their lives with the praise and accolades of others.

They sweat and toil endlessly to achieve the perfect product…the perfect marketing plan…the perfect business, only to find that even if they do finish to a cheering crowd, the empty space is still there.

So if you feel like you’re constantly trying to make things perfect–but never getting anywhere–ask yourself these questions:

Q: “Why does this have to be perfect?”

Q: “What are you hoping will happen if it is?”

Q: “Will you be satisfied upon completion…or will you still feel like something’s missing?”

Because here’s the cruel twist – even if you did achieve “perfection” and were praised till death, it still would not fill that void. You have to do it all by yourself.

Make sense?

I know–this one was a little tough to handle for some of you (myself included).

But if you can answer those questions honestly and make some critical changes, you’ll find yourself moving forward towards your goals with more fulfillment and less effort…instead of spinning your wheels constantly.

Because like Ava was singing just this weekend (a little off-key, but still precious to Daddy)…

“Nobody’s Perfeeeeeeect.”

To Higher Profits,
Rich

P.S. I hope this e-coaching series has been helpful so far.

And remember–if you’d like to share your own “taking action” tips and strategies, please do so below. I’m always interested in what’s working (and what’s not) with my blog readers.

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Comments:

http://www.detroitccw.com Rick

This post was the shot in the arm I needed. I have a few things I want to do but haven’t done them, in part, because I want to implement the tasks perfectly. Thanks for the wake-up call!
http://howidid.com Deep Arora – HowIDid?

Well said Rich.

I have been a victim myself for over two years. I started creating a software in 2006, then outsourced a part of it to make it perfect. Got tings done and something new hit my mind and I started adding that to the software, and then one fine day, I decided to focus on a different part of my business…result..that software is still on my computer.

Your post has forced me to take an action and I am committed to release the beta version of that software by this Sunday.

Thanks Rich,
Deep Arora
PLRVideoDepot.com
http://www.getstartedtodayonline.com Andrea Yager

Just build it. Then move forward. There is a whole blog post alone in those 6 words so let me know if you want a guest blogger ;) .

Although I don’t think I am relating to the word ‘perfect’ – for me it’s more ‘getting it all done’.

A tip – blogging helps release the need for perfection. There are no real expectations from bloggers and often blogging is just that – a work in progress – not the culmination of all efforts ready to be unveiled or ‘cut the ribbon’ ready.
http://www.e-SuccessFormula.com Pete O’Sullivan

Hi Rich,

Wow! I’ve never seen ‘perfectionism’ have that meaning before, and I have to say, “I don’t think I want to have it anymore!” ;0)

You’re right it does hurt, but it makes sense. Looks like I’m on the road to recovery now though.

Thanks for another great post. (My Girls are the same – Hannah Montana & High School Musical all the way).

Take it easy Fellah!

Pete
http://www.cashflow24-7opportunity.com Galina

Hi, Rich,
I agree nobody is PERFECT. It is true for me that only Jesus Christ was perfect with no sin. We have to do our best, but as Russians used to say “The best is the enemy of good”. There has to be a point to stop and smell the roses.
http://www.cashflow24-7opportunity.com Galina

Hi, Rich,
I agree nobody is PERFECT. It is true for me that only Jesus Christ was perfect with no sin. We have to do our best, but as Russians used to say “The best is the enemy of good”. There has to be a point to stop and smell the roses.
Best regards,
Galina http://www.cashflow24-7opportunity.com
http://www.geordie-coach.com Aly

Hi Rich

Great post, and sooo right.

Keep up the good work

Kindest Regards

Aly
http://www.shadowsundertheradar1.com lincoln ong

so true
http://sellwindowsmedia.com/make-money-online/make-money-online.htm Paul

That sounds interesting and is a good motivator for anyone.

http://sellwindowsmedia.com/make-money-online/make-money-online.htm
http://www.FinancialFreedomForDoctors.com Dr Alison Grimston

Hi Rich,

Thanks again for a great post.

I have to work constantly on accepting that “good enough” is good enough. After years of perfectionism (it got me through medical school after all), I now recognise how it leads to analysis paralysis and procrastination – and it is so easy to be too perfectionist with the children too!

I can be so much more creative when I allow Good Enough to prevail…..

Thanks for the reminder!

Alison
Dr Alison Grimston
Holistic Doctor and Animal Healer
http://www.turkeytwinkles.com April Rogers

Great reminder!

To master the art of authenticity… we need to embrace imperfection!
http://www.homenotion.com Ms. Liz

Thanks for the post Rich, it helps to know that others go through the same things.

For me, I’m always worried that I’m not delivering enough. I guess I feel that if someone is ‘paying’ for something they ought to get the best I can deliver and sometimes, depends on the project, I never quite feel that I’m delivering the best. I guess it comes with the notion that I should be over-delivering, and I guess that’s a good thing but it can kill a project too.

At any rate, realizing we don’t have to be perfect might help us actually get projects out the door :-)
http://www.companiesnow.com.au Richard Muir

Yep can certainly relate to that!

It is funny when all these projects on the go but catch myself doing actions that in no way advance the finished product!

Rich Muir
http://www.companiesnow.com.au
making registering your new company easy
http://www.naymz.com/search/val/slastnikov/751079 Val Slastnikov

Thanks for another great blog post, Rich.

You really moved me to tears with this song reference!

Since I have a grown-up son who is already 25, naturally I never watched any of Hannah Montana shows ever before, and never heard of the song ever before. So I went to check it out on YouTube, watched it with great interest and saw that the song video has been watched 256,722 times, with 872 ratings and 739 comments…If that’s not a perfect example of ‘staggering blitz marketing’, as you said earlier – I don’t know what is!

Also, when I work on my own copy, another great song often comes to mind. This one is from a legendary Pink Floyd album “The Dark Side Of The Moon”:

‘Every year is getting shorter, never seem to find the time
Plans that either come to naught or half a page of scribbled lines
Hanging on in quiet desperation is the english way
The time is gone, the song is over, thought I’d something more to say…’

This is so true…thanks for your honesty, Rich. I know it takes pure guts to be brutally honest – not only with others, but most importantly, with yourself…
http://www.calmpassionwarrior.com Taylore

Thank you Rich! Great post. This is so in theme with my life these past two days. I got some great inside info on a new Social Media site with a brand new technology. I was so excited that I created a web page to tell all my friends and contacts about it.
The web page really wasn’t very good, and I wasn’t sure if I should post it, but I did. A wise friend gave me some great advice
and boy did I tweak it. I was trying to make it appear like others I had seen. Once I stopped trying to get it perfect and just spoke from the heart and had fun with it, I was so pleased with the results.
I’d love some feedback, everyone; plus you’ll love this opportunity.
This site is taking Web 2.0 to the next level and should be called 3.0. Plus they are sharing their profits with the members. This has never happened before.

Be sure you read my PS. at the bottom of the page. I just tweaked and wrote that part in, so if the new version hasn’t uploaded yet, be sure to go back and read it. There is an amazing Founding Member opportunity which closes on July 1st. Very time sensitive.

Anyway, check out my page. I’ve been tweaking all day. Your feed back is most welcome. Blessings – Taylore

Here’s the link: http://www.liveyourdesires.com/newday.html
http://www.femalepreneurs.com/blog Jan Marie Dore

Good food for thought Rich.
For me, I don’t know if it’s perfectionism or just lack of strategy and/or support that keeps me from completing projects. I think it’s all of the above.

Progess not perfection is my motto!
Jan Marie
Susan

Hi Rich,

“Hannah Montana” also known as “Miley Cyrus” is a big deal here by my daughter as well. Her song, “Nobody’s Perfect” is a good message to be sent to children who tune into the “Disney Channel” regularly.

“Perfectionists” like tasks done in an orderly and meticulous fashion. There is hardly any room for error. I think it’s likely to be the opposite of someone who is way too lax about how they handle a task or a lack of caring about how it’s done. Some people would say it’s an unhealthy level of expectation; but that’s passing judment on another persons way of achieving and getting tasks complete.

Thanks.
Ron Brantley

Hey Rich,

I like the saying,”YOU DONT HAVE TO GET IT RIGHT [PERFECT],

YOU JUST HAVE TO GET IT GOING” and learn as you go.

‘PERFECTION’is an illusion….STRIVING to be the BEST in

ones chosen field is reality.

Ron Brantley
Pingback: Anton’s Internet News » Blog Archive » What Do You Need For Your Internet Marketing Business?
Donna Kim-Brand

Create, then adjust (once you have some momentum going). This is one aspect of the natural creative process.

I know this, and attempt to practice this within my own areas of expertise. But I find I am slowed down by connecting all the technical and infrastructural ‘bits’ for which I have to rely on others and don’t even know what I don’t know.

As mentioned by some earlier posters, it’s not so much trying to be ‘perfect’ per se, but honoring our clients by offering the best- and also in a world of Web 2.0 transparency, it’s our own credibility on the line with whatever we put out. I appreciate Andrea’s comment above about considering things ‘a work in progess’.

Still, as the old escalator analogy goes, if we stand still in a fast moving world, it will pass us by!

Thanks for keeping the insights going-it’s fun to ‘watch’ how your mind works!
Donna
Curt Siemers

Rich,
It turns out my tendency not to act does not stem from perfectionism or low self-esteem. I spent 11 years in graduate school in theology and philosophy by way of making 2 attempts at a doctorate and a professorship. It came to naught, mostly because of a lack of money. But the point is, when you are in the humanities at the masters and doctoral levels you are learning theory only. Even ethics, which is a sub-discipline under both theology and philosophy is taught as theory. It has more practical aspects to it than theology and philosophy, but it is still taught as theory without step-by-step instruction. Thus I have an eleven-year habit of learning theory and not learning application and thus not applying the learning. This is a habit I know I must break myself of (you have eloquently spoken of the priority of action in business in other places), and I fully intend to do so, beginning with the Maven Matrix.
Keep up the good work.

Curt Siemers
http://www.Perrysclickbox.com Paul Perry

Hi Rich
interesting post,nobodys perfect
and if you do take action you can
always perfect it over time. Just
make a start and see what happens
Thanks Paul
http://www.PerrysClickbox.com
Pingback: » Direct Sales - How We Generated $62,2500 From $600 - IM Alliance - Helping You Make Money Online
http://Moving4ward4Profit.4t.com Anthony Whyms

Rich,

Once again this post solidifies you as an outstanding mentor and keen visionary!

I used to like things to be “near perfect” and have at times injured the outcome I was trying to achieve in my projects or even in my personal life…

Since then I’ve learned the truth of what you’ve written about.

Having the mindset of “nobody’s perfect” achieves two things:

1) It unburdens you of guilt for not “getting it right” and
2) Gives you permission to forgive yourself and others

The second clearly has allowed for greater personal growth in my life.

This is another gem to share with my clients.

Thank you for bringing this aspect of successful living to light!

Anthony Whyms

Moving4ward Marketing
http://Moving4ward4Profit.4t.com
http://www.project-sponsor.com Jed Simms

True, perfectionism is not necessary, but how good is ‘good enough’?

Is an OK product okay?
Is an OK website okay?
Is OK copy okay?

The real question is where do you put the effort in?

Focus on the copy to get sales, get a quality product later?

The challenge is to find the acceptable standard. It is not perfectionism but what is it and how do you determine it?
http://www.realestateblackbook.com Peter

Hi Rich,

Thanks for sharing this with us. I used to do this myself. It’s not as much as I wanted the project to be perfect but I had a hard time giving up some of my workload. Outsourcing some of my work was very hard because I didn’t think that the next guy will put as much hard work into the project as I would and that the project wouldn’t be done correctly.

Peter K.
http://biz-alert.com Domingo Arenal

Hi Rich,

Yes, nobody’s perfect.

It hit me bullseye. When I’m doing a project it really
takes time because of me being a perfectionist.
When the project is half-way or almost finished, and
a new idea flash into my mind (which I believe is better)
I’ve a nasty idea of changing everything, going back
to ZERO.

Probably, better is just doing something and tweaking
all the way to completion.

Regards,

-Ding F. Arenal

Pitogo, 4308 Quezon Prov., Philippines
http://www.kuoltawyf.wcsnpxil.com ynwqhoik htsvpzj

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http://www.wordpressgoldmine.com/blog/ Mine

Absolutely agree. Nobody is perfect. But everyone is perfect in their little non perfect way :)
http://www.kirerf.com Rueben Huett

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