Are you waiting to be perfect?
When is good enough, good enough? So often I hear from clients and friends about a fabulous idea they have, or a long-embodied dream they've held on to, only to put off doing the idea or dream until they get it "just right," and before they knew it, just right turned into just never. Looking over my fifty-two years, I can recall countless instances of putting off launching an idea or dream, because I didn't think I knew enough, or because the project wasn't complete or perfect enough.
The need for perfection is the killer of dreams. It'll squelch ideas and action faster than making mistakes ever could. Furthermore, the need for perfection is an ego-based need and will keep you from being able to tune into the subtle inner sensations that give you direction and tell you what to do next.
These sensations, the voice of your inner guidance, guide you perfectly even if you think you are not ready. Don't let the voices in your head that are telling you why you are not good enough, or competent enough, or experienced enough keep you from sharing yourself and your unique ideas and gifts with the world.
Let's agree that not all ideas are meant to be acted on, and concentrate on that idea or dream you've held on to for a long time, but have been afraid to launch because you want to get it perfected--fully mapped out and designed--before you get it out there. Let's suppose you have a product you have been working on for several months. The more you work on it, the more you see things you'd like to add to it to make it "even better". Got one of those? Many of us have some hidden idea or dream we've been tinkering with in the back rooms of our minds or even in the garage.
What is keeping you from sharing it just the way it is right now? Again, if you have a widget and it doesn't work yet, then perhaps it is prudent to get it working before releasing it, but what about the widget that does work and works well, yet you'd like it to be better? If you've got one of those, perhaps its time to ask yourself, "What am I waiting for?"
Here's the deal about perfection, it doesn't exist, at least, not the way our minds think about perfection. Perfection to the ego looks and sounds like this:
My product has to always work.
No one else will have this service; I have to crush the competition.
It's got to be better than what is out there, or no one will buy it.
I don't want to be embarrassed or laughed at in the industry.
My reputation is on the line, I can't make any mistakes.
Who am I to offer this when I am just an average person unlike the experts out there?
We all applaud a dedication to doing and being your best. This isn't about putting out shoddy work or products, it's about honoring your best as it is in the present moment, and allowing your best to grow and develop by sharing your creations with others, and stepping into the unknown. The fascinating thing about getting your idea, dream, product, or service out there before it is all the way perfect is: You might find out it is "perfect enough".
You will receive the necessary feedback that provides you specific ideas for improvement, and gives your customers what they are asking for.
The ideal of perfection is overrated. So, how can you get over the grip that the desire to be perfect might have on you? Here are three-easy-ways to put aside perfection and get your dream out there sooner rather than never.
1. First start with something small. What product, service, or idea have you been entertaining that would be fairly easy to share in a short amount of time? Let's say you want to write a book about your grandmother's favorite recipes, but have been putting it off because you haven't taste-tested or prepared all of them. Begin smaller. How about sharing a recipe a week with family and friends by offering a weekly online newsletter? These newsletters when compiled can evolve into a full-blown book. Once you break a project into smaller components the mind relaxes into an "I can do this" state and the grip of perfection loosens.
2. Gather five suggestions from trusted friends or colleagues. Only five. Send five people the product or service you have just the way it is, and ask them to give you feedback on how it works for them, can be improved or made better. When my business partner and I launched our first Tele-seminar, we were writing the course as we were teaching it. Then we'd receive feedback from our students and incorporated their suggestions. The second time around doing the class, it was amazingly better, and importantly, we were able to offer what our students wanted. No way could we have received those suggestions without presenting a less than perfect program.
3. Offer a beta program. A beta program is when you let someone test or try out your product or service at minimal or no cost so that you can receive "real time" feedback. How often have major companies had to go back to the drawing board after a first and even a second launch? Perfection is more a process than an end result. If it feels uncomfortable to charge people for a service you aren't convinced is your best or is still under development, then a beta program may be just the ideal compromise.
I have a marketing mentor whose newsletters I receive by mail each month. This individual is very well known and very successful in the online and direct marketing fields. Yet, it often amazes me how filled his newsletter is with typos, "bad grammar" and assorted other non-perfect errors. Yet, undeniably, the content is extraordinary and valuable. Imagine if he fretted over where to put the comma, or whether every word was grammatically placed, instead of getting his content out there.
So listen up, we are waiting for your ideas and services. We are waiting for you to share with us your creative genius. What are you waiting for?
In Part 2, get valuable insights on how to recognize those subtle inner sensations that tell you what to do next.
Self Improvement 
