I've come a long way from the days I was afraid to make a mistake. I used to hold myself back because of the fear that mistakes would cost me money or time or both. In reality, every failure is an opportunity to learn.
Here are four steps to help you take the first step toward letting go of perfectionism and embracing your flaws:
- Look to your past failures for positive reinforcement.
I've made a lot of mistakes over the years, and most of them were due to my own ignorance. I didn't know what I didn't know and was too stubborn to admit that I needed help. Every failed attempt teaches me something new, so I'm able to improve with each failure.
- Focus on your successes.
Acknowledge all the things you did right. Even if your attempts at perfection didn't work out, you probably learned something along the way. This mindset is what allowed you to become successful in the first place, so why wouldn't it carry you through this new project?
- Refuse to quit.
Don't give up when the going gets tough. When I'm discouraged by the failure of one project, I remind myself of my past successes. And when I'm tempted to quit and look elsewhere, I remind myself of how far I've come.
- Trust your instincts.
It may be hard at first, but you need to trust your intuition and allow it to guide you. Some things might feel right, even if you don't understand them completely. Let your subconscious take over, and just go with it.
You don't have to be perfect to be successful. The only thing you have to be is willing to try.