Find the freedom that comes from giving you a break

Are you a perfectionist? If your automatic response is “no!” I invite you to take a closer look; there is a well-meaning perfectionist in every one of us!

Wanting to be the best, and see things executed to the highest level of quality is a good direction to set your business compass but, I see this quest for perfection keeping people from reaching their true potential nearly every day. 

Sometimes the perfectionist inside of a very talented client will keep her from even getting in front of a camera, until she “can lose these ten pounds, then, I’ll do this!” Weeks, months or even years can go by and many opportunities to promote and grow her brand recognition are lost.

Other times the perfectionist side of a person can manifest a near obsession with the “perfect take”:  “I have to eliminate that stutter, and the blinking, and hit that key point harder…” It may sound constructive self-criticism, but I have seen hours wasted and temperaments tested by this type of paralyzing thought.  It does not make for a positive experience; Trust me on this, I’ve done it myself!

The antidote to perfectionism paralysis is a new perspective! Here’s when I discovered mine:

It was a few years ago; a conversation on stardom is taking place in my favorite acting class (I know, no surprise there!)  My acting coach points out that the most famous movie stars capture our hearts because of their imperfections. We love to watch our heroes overcome obstacles despite their imperfections in their films, and that is why we cannot get enough of them.  It’s their brokenness, and not their perfect-ness, that draws our empathy.

Consider Sandra Bullock, nominated now for an Academy Award for The Blind Side. For years she was known for her clumsy girl-next-door appeal in her films, and in her interviews, she openly jokes about herself and even snorts with laughter.  Not perfect by the old charm school standards but this imperfect appeal has carried her latest movie to the box office success of $249,000,000 and still counting!

Even our leading men have a brokenness that is far from perfect… think of your favorite, is it Russell Crowe, or Mel Gibson, Kevin Costner or Robert Downey Jr?  Chances are, you will see there is vulnerability there that hints through every performance and that is what we connect with.  It’s not the perfect looks, and it’s not the perfect clothes, or body… it’s the human-ness.

How does this relate to you, if you just want to talk about your passion for your business, and not be a movie star, you ask?  Because it is this empathy of the human sprit and the reassuring comfort of familiar imperfections, (especially, in those that lead us!) that bonds us.  Understanding that concept makes it so much easier to allow for a few flaws in your program, or a stutter, or those extra pounds that only you see anyway!  Perfection is overrated and exhausting to try to achieve… so tell your inner perfectionist to head to her trailer and get her stuff…  she’s outta here!  It’s time for you to enjoy not having her nagging on your shoulder! 

Now get out there and enjoy being real, and feeling that connection with the people that you want to influence.  Enjoy your freedom to be!