I am a perfectionist, mostly recovered, but still one. The biggest reason I know I’m still a perfectionist? I’m also a procrastinator. Perfectionists are notorious procrastinators.
I have two favorite quotes related to this. Thanks to Tammy I will be adding a third.
The first is simply the well-known saying promoted by Elisabeth Elliot: Do the next thing.
I’ve said this so many times to myself when I feel tired, overwhelmed, or paralyzed by indecision. I’ve learned that just doing the next thing generally gets me “unstuck” and moving again.
The second favorite is this: Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task.
How often do I spend more energy dreading something or avoiding something than the energy it would take just to get it done?
And Tammy posted this gem recently which I will definitely have to add to my quote collection:
No unwelcome tasks become any the less unwelcome by putting them off till tomorrow. It is only when they are behind us and done, that we begin to find that there is a sweetness to be tasted afterwards, and that the remembrance of unwelcome duties unhesitatingly done is welcome and pleasant. Accomplished, they are full of blessing, and there is a smile on their faces as they leave us. Undone, they stand threatening and disturbing our tranquility, and hindering our communion with God. If there be lying before you any bit of work from which you shrink, go straight up to it, and do it at once. The only way to get rid of it is to do it.
–Alexander MacLaren (1826-1910) Scottish Preacher
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Hmmm… seems to be a timely reminder for me to actually get my closet cleaned out. =) Don’t even ask how long I’ve had that on my to do list….
I have never commented before, but just wanted to tell you that I am so much like you. I understand and feel the same way about everything. When we were in pre-marital counseling almost 20 yrs ago, the therapist told me for the first time I was a lazy perfectionist. Whatever. All I know is that I spend lots of time trying to figure out the “perfect” way to do something.
Flylady helped some by teaching me that it is better to be done imperfectly than not done at all. That has allowed me to let the kids help and not criticize their efforts. It’s not easy, but I am getting better.
The quotes were great and I am going to copy them and read them when I am feeling overwhelmed.
Blessings 🙂
I’m a non-procrastinating perfectionist, which is probably why I am OCD.
I like to get things done EARLY and check it off my list, which puts me in a perpetual panic.
Sallie,
Thank you so much. I have been thinking about this…how I have so many creative things I want to pursue, but my perfectionism paralyzes me. I’ve put off making a photo book (from Blurb) because I am so afraid of it not being perfect. I’m going to start challenging myself and remember these quotes. Thank you. Again, it’s always so bizarre how you post about the very same things I am thinking through.
Blessings,
Kat
I was going to comment tomorrow, when I could think of just the right thing to say….
Seriously!
I heard Elisabeth Elliot speak, and I hear her voice tell myself OFTEN, “Do the Next Thing!” The MacLaren quote is a beaut.
Thanks. I needed these.
Ladies, you are very welcome. I’m glad it was timely for some of you.
Kat, I so hear you. I am that way about sewing. And other things.
Deb, that is the way I am re: responding to emails. I currently have three very wonderful letters in my email box that blessed me so much. I haven’t responded to them yet (even though one of them is over three months old) because I want to write when I can sit down and write just the right letter. And that time never comes and so I usually just end up dashing off a few lines in the end and feeling bad about it.
I know the non-perfectionists among us are just not going to get it, but I know at least a few of you know what I am talking about. 😯
Oh dear. If only I didn’t need to hear these quotes. The weight of a long to-do list is SOOO very heavy sometimes.
I find that it’s easiest when I’ve written in my planner so that when the time comes to “Do the next thing”, there is something to tell me what that is!
As to the second quote… it’s very true, but let me just say that in some cases, I’m very good at denial of the existence of that task! 😉
I have spent my life as the most imperfect perfectionist I know. I know life is imperfect, but I want my own little piece of it to be the most perfect it can be. I feel this part of me growing the older I get. As a matter of fact, I have had more of my close friends and family notice more in the past few years (and do I ever hear comments constantly, usually jokes)
I never thought of researching prefectionism until tonight and I happened upon this page. I enjoyed the read very much and thought it was quite funny I saw the name “Tammy” first thing as the page loaded.
I have always wondered why I have to have things done so orderly and “perfectly” but I procrastinate so!!!! Procrastinating only runs me so close to deadlines and I end up messing up on projects and it stresses me out so much!!
I am in my church choir. We have practice on Sundays before service @ 10:45 am.
No matter what time I get up, I will be late, no matter what! I have gotten up at 7 am, taken my shower before bed to save time, always pick out my clothes for church the night before and to no avail. I am always late!
I never realized my procrastinating was linked to perfectionism.
Is there anyway to get control of this? Thanks for posting such great info!! It’s simply perfect ;~)