Five Tips to Avoid Perfectionism That Leads to Procrastination
Irene S. Roth
Irene S. Roth
Perfectionism can really be a writer’s curse. The first step to eliminate the spell of perfectionism is to determine if you’re a perfectionist. Once you’ve recognized the problem, you can break this habit of perfectionism.
Many times, perfectionism can cause procrastination. We, as writers, can want to do our best with our writing. But we can’t want to be perfect since it’s hard to get any writing done if it always needs to be perfect.
In other words, when you’re constantly criticizing your work, it starts to sabotage our productivity and confidence. But the real problem occurs when you don’t even want to write anything because making it perfect seems like a daunting challenge. This is precisely how perfectionism can lead to procrastination.
If you’re suffering from perfectionism, this chat is for you. It’s not only important to recognize if you’re a perfectionist, but it is also important that you stop perfectionism in its tracks so that it doesn’t fester into procrastination.
If you try and wait for that perfect moment or the perfect day to write, I promise you that there will be very few such days. Therefore, not only will you not be getting your writing projects done; you won’t even be writing at all.
Here are five tips to avoid perfectionism.
1. Tell yourself that your writing doesn’t have to be perfect. There is nothing harder than aiming for perfection in your writing. It can make you lack confidence in your writing. But more importantly, it can make you feel awful and unproductive.
In addition, if you aim for perfectionism all the time, you will always feel inept as a writer because no one is ever perfect, not even the pros. So, why try to be. Relax, and enjoy the process of writing instead. And don’t be afraid to just write, even if it isn’t perfect.
2. Realize that the concept of perfection is quite subjective. What you think is perfect, may not be. And what you believe is imperfect, may be pretty close to perfect to anyone else who reads your work.
None of us are accurate judges of our own writing. We have an inkling that a manuscript isn’t ready to send out. But the ‘why’ of whether or not the manuscript is ready or not usually baffles even the best of us.
3. Realize that most of your writing flaws can be fixed eventually. After you make sure that your manuscript doesn’t have any basic flaws, and you have made sure that you have followed the writer’s guidelines for the publication that you are sending the manuscript to, send the manuscript out to the buyer. If the editor likes your manuscript, she may purchase it anyway and suggest that you make changes to the manuscript before it goes into press.
Most times, when we think that there are horrendous flaws in our manuscripts, it isn’t that bad. We’re usually too close to our manuscript to give it an accurate and level-headed assessment. In other words, because we have gone over and over the manuscript so many times, we cannot see it objectively.
4. Realize that creativity is messy. Aiming for perfection as a writer can cripple you. Creativity isn’t clean, clear and perfect. It is very messy. We must realize, as writers, that messiness is a good sign that your writing is creative. It may even be the best writing that you have done. So, allow your writing to be messy.
Otherwise, you may procrastinate to get to a deadline because you fear that you will fail. As often as possible, take a deep breath and enjoy the process.
5. Realize that writing is a process but not a destination. No matter what high hopes you have for a manuscript, you soon come to realize that the fun of writing is in the writing, not in anything that comes after it. I love writing first drafts.
There is nothing more liberating and fun than that. I can relax. Most times, I don’t even watch out for punctuation and grammar. I just let the words flow onto the page.
Once I get to the second and third draft however, I enjoy revising the manuscript. I try and relax and enjoy my writing, in all of its messiness and imperfection.
And once you’ve polished the manuscript for the umpteen time, let it go. It is only in this way that you could take the time to enjoy your writing and to stop being crippled by procrastination.
Until next time!
Irene S.Roth
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