In Episode 132 of the “Best Coach Ever” podcast, we tackle the sneaky ways perfectionism is sabotaging your business. Let’s be real—perfectionism isn’t just about wanting everything to be flawless. It’s that voice in your head telling you that if it’s not perfect, it’s not worth doing at all. Sound familiar?
First up, let's talk about how this shows up. You might not think you’re a perfectionist because you’re okay with 85% effort in most things. But if you’re constantly procrastinating, overthinking every move, or paralyzed by the fear of getting it wrong, you’re in the perfectionism trap. And trust me, it’s killing your progress.
Then there’s the creativity killer. Perfectionism puts a million filters on your ideas until they all seem terrible. How many times have you sat down to create content, only to convince yourself that nothing you come up with is good enough? It’s exhausting, and it’s stopping you from showing up consistently, which, let’s face it, is crucial if you want to grow your business.
So, what’s the solution? Messy action. Yep, I said it. Taking imperfect, messy, B-minus action is better than doing nothing at all. It’s time to lower those insane standards and start moving forward. Because in business, done is better than perfect, and consistency beats perfection every single time
In this episode, I cover:
- Introduction [0:00 – 2:05]
– Almost canceling the episode due to lawnmower noises but decided to proceed.
– This situation serves as a real-time example of perfectionism in action.
- ChatGPT and AI as Tools – [2:06- 5:02]
– How ChatGPT helped me generate podcast ideas.
– The broader utility of AI in overcoming creative blocks and generating content.
- Defining Perfectionism [5:03 – 8:20]
– Perfectionism is more than just the need to get everything right; it includes unrealistic expectations.
– It can manifest as fear of failure, self-criticism, and procrastination.
- Personal Story: Delayed Podcast Launch [8:21 – 13:12]
– Almost delayed starting my podcast for three years due to perfectionism.
– Embracing “messy action” eventually led to the successful launch of my podcast.
- Perfectionism in Coaching Businesses [13:13 – 18:44]
– Perfectionism can cause new coaches to procrastinate and avoid taking necessary steps.
– The fear of making mistakes often leads to inaction and stunted business growth.
- Creativity and Perfectionism [18:45 – 22:58]
– Perfectionism acts as a filter that stifles creative ideas, making them seem inadequate.
– The pressure to produce perfect content can lead to creative blocks and inconsistent posting.
- Perfectionism in Fitness and Personal Growth [22:59 – 25:06]
– Drawing parallels between perfectionism in fitness routines and business efforts.
– Emphasizes that consistent, imperfect action yields better results than aiming for perfection.
- Overcoming Perfectionism: Growth Mindset [25:07 – 28:44]
– Viewing business activities as experiments rather than opportunities to achieve perfection.
– Adopting a growth mindset helps reduce the pressure to be perfect and fosters continuous improvement.
- Encouragement to Take Messy Action [28:45 – 32:09]
– Encouraging you to take imperfect action in your businesses today.
– How consistent, even imperfect, action will lead to growth and success.
- Conclusion [32:10 – End]
– Stressing the importance of embracing imperfection in business.
– Apply the insights shared today to your own entrepreneurial journey.
