If Perfection Is My Enemy, Why Am I So Afraid of a B- (yeah, I’m my own Audience).

Many of us have heard that there is no such thing as perfection. So, if we can agree on that, why do so many of us become paralyzed in our attempts to achieve it? Has this ever happened to you?

For me, perfection paralysis shows up like this: first, I become inspired with an exciting goal. Next, I contemplate the specific goal and all the beautiful possibilities that would come with its accomplishment. Then... pause... overwhelm... quit. This cycle is where doubt creeps in. What if I don’t reach the goal? What if I do part of it wrong? What if I make a mistake? WHAT IF PEOPLE SEE THE MISTAKES AND KNOW I’M A FAILURE?!

I work with teenagers and witness them go through this process when I introduce a class project. Everything is fine until they attempt to begin the project because that's when the risk of imperfection appears. To them, to you, and especially to myself, I offer this: let your work be B- worthy!

Say what!? B-! I know, I know. I am about to publish my first blog post, and there's a good chance my teacher would give it a low grade. But what I can tell you with certainty is that a B- is so much better than work that never gets started. Your B- accomplished goals WILL move you toward your dreams, but your procrastinated goals will not. It’s that simple. Just like that, my first (B-) writing is complete!