Stop polishing, start showing up boldly from today if escaping gravity is important to you. Perfectionism is a myth masquerading as virtue. It tells us that we must only show the world our absolute best. But that’s not how life works.
They say you have just one chance to make a great impression. Hogwash. That’s why pencils have erasers.
So stop polishing. Start showing up.
The Myth and the Truth
The lie perfectionism tells: You must be perfect from the start.
Real life: You’ll fail. You’ll course‑correct. You’ll grow.
Stepping forward exposes your vulnerability—and conquers self‑doubt.
Once you act, nothing can hold you back.
As Paul Uduk often reminds authors on pauluduk.com, the journey begins with showing up. Even the greatest writers started rough drafts before they wrote their classics.
Why Perfectionism Paralyzes More Than It Helps
Perfectionism may appear productive, but it often becomes a crutch for self‑doubt. It morphs into procrastination – perfectionism’s bedmate.
Mental-health research confirms just how damaging it can be. Trying to make everything flawless leads to soaring stress and stifles creativity. The Guardian
The key, notes Dr. Zucker and others, is to recognize when the quest to be perfect is doing more harm than good.
The Cost of “Perfect”
- Time stolen: Endless polishing eats into your progress.
- Mental health toll: Anxiety, burnout, and self‑criticism rise.
- Lost opportunity: Waiting for perfection delays sharing your ideas.
May Busch—writing as a “recovering perfectionist”—reflected, “Done really is better than perfect.” Even big companies like Facebook have adopted this ethos. May Busch+1Verywell MindThe Creative Life
Quick Wins: How to Stop Polishing and Start Showing Up
- Be bad on purpose
As one expert advises, don’t aim for imperfect—aim to be downright bad to break the cycle. From there, building to “this is fine” becomes easier than retracting from perfection. Accountability Muse
- Interrupt the ritual
Perfectionism feeds on routines—like endlessly rewriting. Stop. Name why you’re avoiding it (“I’m scared I’ll look dumb”). That pause breaks the cycle. deniseglee.com
- Trade “perfect” for “precise”
Perfect is fantasy. Precise is clear. Clean up one thing today; make your writing you, not your imagined best self. deniseglee.com
- Track your tells
Notice when perfectionism kicks in—tight jaw, over-editing, sighing. Logging these helps you spot patterns and step back.
What Paul Uduk Teaches: Start, Then Iterate
On pauluduk.com, Uduk urges aspiring writers to start: launch a book, eBook, course, newsletter, or YouTube channel—and refine it along the way.
Procrastination kills momentum. So pick one, begin imperfectly, and improve as you go.
Success Lives Outside the Comfort Zone
“Will people mock you? Sure.” But that’s not your stop sign.
Remember Jasmin Alic? He quit LinkedIn twice. Now? He thrives—because he showed up again—and again.
Toastmasters shows us another truth: you make your first public speech, shaky voice and all—and people clap for the courage, not the polish.
Perfectionism Isn’t Always the Enemy—When It’s Adaptive
Not all perfectionism is destructive. Mass General Hospital research differentiates:
- Adaptive perfectionism: High standards + resilience + self‑compassion.
- Maladaptive perfectionism: Excessive self‑criticism and fear of failure. May Busch+4Massachusetts General Hospital+4Verywell Mind+4
We want the former—not the paralyzing kind.
Perfectionism Is Suffering—Let Go of It to Find Peace
As Denise G. Lee writes, perfectionism promises peace—if only we do it right. The result: no peace ever. She suggests:
- Interrupt rituals
- Shift to being precise
- Log perfectionist triggers
- Relearn what real support feels like
- Set boundaries that aren’t for show deniseglee.com+1
This aligns with my approach: step forward, imperfectly.
The Big Picture: From Polishing to Progress
Rewrite your mental habits:
- Make short iterations.
- Set realistic standards.
- Celebrate small wins.
- Build momentum through imperfect action.
Perfectionism can rob your peace and progress—but shedding it leads to better happiness, self‑esteem, and even productivity.
Here’s calling you
So here’s your permission slip:
Start now.
Launch your idea—no matter how rough.
Improve as you go.
Let pencils have erasers.
“If you don’t believe in yourself—no one else will.”
Ready to write that first book? I’ve helped 750 friends launch theirs in my Book Accelerator Program. You can become a published author this October. Comment “BAP” to get on board.
What’s the imperfect first step you’re willing to take today?
Perfectionism is a myth masquerading as virtue. It tells us that we must only show the world our absolute best. But that’s not how life works.
They say you have just one chance to make a great impression. Hogwash. That’s why pencils have erasers.
So stop polishing. Start showing up.
The Myth and the Truth
The lie perfectionism tells: You must be perfect from the start.
Real life: You’ll fail. You’ll course‑correct. You’ll grow.
Stepping forward exposes your vulnerability—and conquers self‑doubt.
Once you act, nothing can hold you back.
As Paul Uduk often reminds authors on pauluduk.com, the journey begins with showing up. Even the greatest writers started rough drafts before they wrote their classics.
Why Perfectionism Paralyzes More Than It Helps
Perfectionism may appear productive, but it often becomes a crutch for self‑doubt. It morphs into procrastination – perfectionism’s bedmate.
Mental-health research confirms just how damaging it can be. Trying to make everything flawless leads to soaring stress and stifles creativity. The Guardian
The key, notes Dr. Zucker and others, is to recognize when the quest to be perfect is doing more harm than good. arXiv+11Wondermind+11The Guardian+11
The Cost of “Perfect”
- Time stolen: Endless polishing eats into your progress.
- Mental health toll: Anxiety, burnout, and self‑criticism rise.
- Lost opportunity: Waiting for perfection delays sharing your ideas.
May Busch—writing as a “recovering perfectionist”—reflected, “Done really is better than perfect.” Even big companies like Facebook have adopted this ethos.
Quick Wins: How to Stop Polishing and Start Showing Up
- Be bad on purpose
As one expert advises, don’t aim for imperfect—aim to be downright bad to break the cycle. From there, building to “this is fine” becomes easier than retracting from perfection. Accountability Muse
- Interrupt the ritual
Perfectionism feeds on routines—like endlessly rewriting. Stop. Name why you’re avoiding it (“I’m scared I’ll look dumb”). That pause breaks the cycle.
- Trade “perfect” for “precise”
Perfect is fantasy. Precise is clear. Clean up one thing today; make your writing you, not your imagined best self.
- Track your tells
Notice when perfectionism kicks in—tight jaw, over-editing, sighing. Logging these helps you spot patterns and step back. deniseglee.com
What Paul Uduk Teaches: Start, Then Iterate
On pauluduk.com, Uduk urges aspiring writers to start: launch a book, eBook, course, newsletter, or YouTube channel—and refine it along the way. pauluduk.com+1
Procrastination kills momentum. So pick one, begin imperfectly, and improve as you go.
Success Lives Outside the Comfort Zone
“Will people mock you? Sure.” But that’s not your stop sign.
Remember Jasmin Alic? He quit LinkedIn twice. Now? He thrives—because he showed up again—and again.
Toastmasters shows us another truth: you make your first public speech, shaky voice and all—and people clap for the courage, not the polish.
Perfectionism Isn’t Always the Enemy—When It’s Adaptive
Not all perfectionism is destructive. Mass General Hospital research differentiates:
- Adaptive perfectionism: High standards + resilience + self‑compassion.
- Maladaptive perfectionism: Excessive self‑criticism and fear of failure.
We want the former—not the paralyzing kind.
Perfectionism Is Suffering—Let Go of It to Find Peace
As Denise G. Lee writes, perfectionism promises peace—if only we do it right. The result: no peace ever. She suggests:
- Interrupt rituals
- Shift to being precise
- Log perfectionist triggers
- Relearn what real support feels like
- Set boundaries that aren’t for show deniseglee.com+1
This aligns with my approach: step forward, imperfectly.
The Big Picture: From Polishing to Progress
Rewrite your mental habits:
- Make short iterations.
- Set realistic standards.
- Celebrate small wins.
- Build momentum through imperfect action.
Perfectionism can rob your peace and progress—but shedding it leads to better happiness, self‑esteem, and even productivity. Verywell Mind+1
Here’s calling you
So here’s your permission slip:
Start now.
Launch your idea—no matter how rough.
Improve as you go.
Let pencils have erasers.
“If you don’t believe in yourself—no one else will.”
Ready to write that first book? I’ve helped 750 friends launch theirs in my Book Accelerator Program. You can become a published author this October. Comment “BAP” to get on board.
What’s the imperfect first step you’re willing to take today?
