Don’t let perfectionism stop you from trying new things. Sometimes, we let the fear of not being good from the start stop us from moving forward.
I have this experience regularly. I like things to be perfect, and I hate making mistakes. I hate it even more if other people witness my struggle.
This happened to me recently at a pottery class I took. I walked into class excited, a glow in my eyes, ready to get to work. As we started using the wheel to mold our pottery, I realized it was harder than I thought. I kept trying but it was not working and I could feel defeat settling in. I almost gave up, but I caught myself. I have a pattern of giving up when things don’t work out perfectly the first time. I reminded myself it is okay if it does not turn out perfect and to enjoy the process. This mindset shift brought me back to the present. It allowed me to laugh at how much of a mess I was creating.
The thing about trying something new, is you are not going to be perfect. I know we sometimes put this demand on ourselves due to childhood experiences or comparing ourselves to someone who is more experienced. The truth of the matter is we are going to have to try some things a few times before it works out. Sometimes our learning curve will be longer than others. And that is okay. Because if we never start, we will never get better.
I am learning to release myself from this expectation of perfection. It only holds us back.
To work through this, it requires a mindset shift and practice.
1. We have to realize we can’t be great at everything.
There are going to be certain things we are naturally gifted at. There will be other things we have to practice at. It’s okay to struggle a little bit. It makes the result worth it.
2. Reframe your thoughts.
If you have thoughts, “I am never going to figure this out” and “Its not working”, take a deep breath. It may be challenging in the moment, but try to relax and laugh through it. Remind yourself that this is just a challenging moment, but as I keep practicing, I will get better.
3. Don’t compare yourself to others.
Everyone was once a beginner. Just because you didn’t see the time and effort it took for your inspiration to be great in their field does not mean it does not exist. Also, if you are comparing your work to your friend or neighbor with no experience, stop that. Remember, comparison is the thief of all joy. You don’t know how their other skill sets play a role in them picking up this new skill faster.
4. Focus on taking it one step at a time.
Don’t worry about being perfect at everything at once. Take it step by step and focus on one component at a time. As you continue to practice, those 1% improvements will compound into an amazing new skill.
Take this advice and apply it as you try a new skill. If we get caught up in being perfect, we will miss out on so much.