How Perfectionism Fuels Procrastination

I can't decide if procrastination kills creativity or is essential to it.

— Grant Snider (@grantdraws) April 28, 2014

Grant Snider posed a very important question on Twitter. I thought it was beneficial to address this in another thought-provoking post. Procrastination in writing is worth analyzing. This is especially true for those interested in creating anything.

As a writer Procrastination is one of the most unproductive hindrances to making deadlines and getting things done. Even tasks that are of minimal importance are avoided  in the state of procrastination. Loathing towards completing certain tasks ensues and often precedes the avoidance to complete them.

Yet, despite the unfavorable and often unwanted consequences of slowing momentum of productivity, the seductive call to procrastinate is strong. It seems delaying activity for later often becomes an appealing choice. However, its in the state of such delay we see how creativity can be delayed from its realization. Procrastination not only can ultimately kill creativity it can prevent you from reaching your desired goals.

So, then this inclination towards delay leads us to ask an important question. What often is the cause of this delay to creative productivity? Sometimes it our own thirst for perfectionism that keeps of from completing our most cherished desires too.

Perfectionism role as a prerequisite practice to Procrastination is evident when it comes to completing certain creative tasks. Eliminating our need to be perfect can help prevent procrastination. This is especially true for creative activities like writing.

Perfectionism to Procrastination=Nothing Getting done.

“PERFECTIONISM LEAD TO PARALYSIS, WHICH LEADS TO PROCRASTINATION”-Joel Saltzman Arthur of,’If You Can Talk You Can Write.’

Perfectionism is a crippling state. It holds you to a standard that causes you to be more critical of yourself. It also affects your ability to complete quality creative works. sometimes, our own negative self talk can keep is from reaching our goals leading us to procrastinate. Maybe you have mentioned some of the below statements in the hostile state of perfectionism,

“I have to make what I’m writing perfect.”

“I’ve got to watch my spelling, grammar, structure.”

“This has to be perfect!”

The end result after the chase for perfectionism is the numbing realization. We think, “I want to be perfect, it’s not perfect yet.” Procrastination emerges. We decide to carry on with other tasks rather than return to the creative act.

To conquer the desire to be perfect, one must replace that desire with an even stronger desire. This stronger desire is to just create despite the threat of imperfection.

“There is no perfection, only beautiful versions of brokenness.”
― Shannon L. Alder

By releasing ourselves of preconceived standards our creativity we can bloom and become the most beneficial to our progress. Therefore, progress not perfectionism is the preferred productive aspiration essential to implementing authentic creativity.

Bottom Line: Make progress even if its less than perfect.

“Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life. It is the main obstacle between you and a shitty first draft. I think perfectionism is based on an obsessive belief. You believe that if you run carefully enough and hit each stepping-stone just right, you won’t have to die. The truth is you will die anyway. Many people who aren’t even looking at their feet will do much better than you. They will have a lot more fun while doing it.”

― Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life