Complete Failure and Incomplete Success
I have a lot on my mind at the moment. I’ve got a lot of things that need to be done and I’m not doing them. I should have written a post 2 weeks ago but other things got in the way and I began to feel myself slipping backwards. So I’m going to try and remedy this by posting about procrastination and the art of the incomplete project.
One of my biggest faults has always been finishing things. Projects, books, relationships, (but not food). I want things to be perfect so I start with enthusiasm and excitement and then start to flounder and panic, my head feels like it’s going to explode because I’m not sure which direction I should take, and choices become nearly impossible. It’s procrastination at it’s worst and it has killed a number of projects of mine over the years and some personal dreams as well. I’ve read a few books on procrastination, well I’ve meant to, I just can’t decide which one to read first. (Boom boom). Even this post has caused me huge mental anguish as I try to keep typing in the hope that something of value will eventually develop. Perfectionism and procrastination combined make it impossible to complete anything other than the complete sense of failure. The self employed simply can’t afford this luxury and things must be done to keep a small business moving forward. But it’s hard – really hard.
So what can I do about it? Well I have to give myself permission to fail. Ah! Even saying that makes me feel physically sick! So lets change that to give myself permission to not achieve my desired outcome and submit projects that I don’t think are perfect, starting wit this post! The truth is that something is better than nothing and can eventually become something of value. Not perfect doesn’t mean crap, it might just mean not quite finished yet. I read a recent post that said 70% for creative projects was good enough.
I’ve been try to design a logo for a new website, it’s about 70% done – good enough, I can change it later. (TheArtofAmazing.com)
I’ve been writing a keynote speech, it’s about 70% written – good enough. I’ll let other people look at it and finish it based on feedback and rehearsal.
I have a cabaret act that’s about 70% decent – good enough, it improves every time I work it.
This post is about 70% finished….
