Increase Creativity A-Z - P is For Perfectionism - Creativity Serial Killer On The Rampage |
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By: Dan Goodwin Posted: 2007-07-09 11:13:53 |
| One of the biggest killers of creativity is also one of the most elusive. The pursuit of perfectionism.Picture this: You start your new creative project, bursting with ideas, creative energy and enthusiasm.This is going to be your breakthrough project, the best thing you've created yet, the truest and deepest expression of your creative talents you can possibly produce.You set off at a rattling pace, your creativity flowing like an mighty Alaskan river after the thaw of Spring.This pattern continues, you find it easy to create and add more to your new project, and soon you have loads of new material to work with. Now, with just a little bit of a tweak here, some quick editing there, adding to this part, cutting down this part and your project's going to be finished and perfect.Uh-oh. There's the deadly "P" word.And there's the problem. You see even after 50 or 100 or 1000 little tweaks, additions and adjustments, your creative work is still going to be teetering on the cusp of perfection. And that's all you can see it as.All you're able to focus on is the hole and not the doughnut.You're so concerned about the tiny parts that are missing - that you think would make it "absolutely perfect" - that you miss the huge chunk of creative work there that is already amazing.Because of this outlook, because for you the hole is always more concerning than the doughnut, your creative project will remain suspended in this state of "almost nearly perfect". Maybe forever.It's the same state of almost perfection that your last project stopped at. And the one before that. And the 29 before that!Perfectionism is a heartless creativity serial killer.So how can you overcome this? How can you learn to see all the beauty and fulfilment in what you do create, rather than just be miserable and dissatisfied over filling that impossible gap that would finally make your project perfect.A creative colleague of mine very wisely commented recently: "We're always beginners at something or other throughout our lives..."Yet we expect to be perfect after one or two attempts at something new. But there is no perfection, there is no end point.Once you see your creative growth as an enjoyable lifelong learning experience, you can begin to realise that it's impossible to be perfect. Even if you create the most incredible piece of art you've ever created, there will still be ways you can learn, and different creative experiences to try.So start to take action to free yourself today from the terrible murderous grip of perfectionism, and you'll see your enjoyment and fulfilment of all the wonderful things you create soar to new levels.Want to learn more about how to increase YOUR creativity? Get your FREE copy of Creativity Coach Dan Goodwin's powerful and practical "Explode Your Creativity!" Action Workbook when you sign up to the FREE twice monthly ezine "Create Create!". Visit the website now: www.CoachCreative.com |
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