Perfectionism is a very real problem for many people and it can easily stifle creativity. It can keep us from creating the things we want and can even prevent us from starting at all. Fortunately, there are ways to deal with perfectionism and find your creative flow again. Read on to learn more about how to overcome this destructive habit. Hopefully you will be able to break free from perfectionism today.
Unlike people who are unable to make mistakes, perfectionists often feel frustrated when they fail at something they have worked on for a long time. They try to make everything perfect - and sometimes go beyond that - but this is never healthy. It also limits their capacity to be creative and joyful. When chasing perfection, perfectionists tend to become hyper-focused on the end result, and they lose their anchor in themselves.
Many people are afraid to try new things because they fear failure. When they create something, they attempt to compose it perfectly, despite the fact that this never works. Creative work is like filling a bucket with water: there is a stopping point. More time spent creating won't make it infinitely better. If you want to be creative, you have to learn to accept that there is a limit to your creativity.
Perfectionism is a gremlin inside our minds that demands perfection. Never satisfied with a finished product, Mr. Perfect continually urges us to rework the results, sapping our creative energy. Many of us have fallen prey to this gremlin and believe that reworking things endlessly means integrity and high artistic standards. These thoughts are simply not healthy and are detrimental to our creativity.
The authors of the study believe that perfectionism actually limits creativity. They propose explanations for this observation. Perfectionism impedes creativity by preventing spontaneity, experimentation, and openness. While we may feel bad if we make a mistake, it is crucial to take risks when creating. Playing it safe can result in uninspired performances and practice sessions. Besides, it may limit the range of ideas that can be generated.
Unlike the opposite, perfectionists are generally more likely to acknowledge when they've missed a deadline. They might even ask for an extension if needed. The same goes for projects where they've failed to meet a deadline. When deadlines are looming, perfectionism can make you fixate on a single idea. When this happens, you may find yourself not working on anything else.