Attension Perfectionists

(The title was on purpose ... for those that caught it.)

I just finished the most amazing painting! It is beyond my wildest dreams. It is… perfection.

OK, I’m joking.

Seriously...can we all stop using the word perfection as an excuse not to create?

I hear it all the time:

“Oh, I would be an artist… but I’m such a perfectionist. I’d never be happy with my work.”

Oh, please. You’ve just described every artist … past, present, and probably even in the afterlife.

Let’s bring in some backup from a guy who knew a thing or two about impossible standards … the house lights dim, the curtains open and there on center stage is… Leonardo da Vinci.

He says:

“The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions.”

“La maggior ingannatrice degli uomini sono le proprie opinioni.”

Translation?

Your own opinions … those little voices whispering “it’s not good enough” or “I’ll never get this right” … are lying to you.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth:

You’ll never be 100% happy with your work. Ever.

Artists see everything.

That brushstroke that’s just a little off?

That shadow that could’ve been a smidge deeper?

That awkward line nobody else would ever notice?

Ugh … we see it. And we obsess over it.

But the difference between artists who create and those who just talk about it?

Some of us paint anyway.

Perfectionism isn’t some noble quirk.

It’s just fear, wearing a tux.

When you let perfectionism stop you from creating, it’s not because you have high standards.

It’s because you’re afraid to be judged … especially by yourself.

Art isn’t about perfect.

It’s about showing up, doing the work, messing up, learning something, and doing it again tomorrow.

Stop chasing perfection.

Start chasing progress.

Test question time:

What’s something you haven’t completed because you’re too busy “perfecting” it?

If you consider yourself a perfectionist, what do you do perfectly?

Well, look at that… a flawless, absolutely perfect blog!

(Totally nailed the irony.)