I was supposed to shoot five videos last week. Five, short videos to post on YouTube. I sure tried. After two dozen takes to try to get the first video right – I was worn out. Emotionally and mentally. I was done.

Perfectionism. My nemesis. Running interference on my ability to progress.

I’m going to try again tomorrow.

Why is this so challenging for me? I spent all day yesterday in front of two different audiences. People loved what I offered them. The feedback wasn’t that they “enjoyed it.” But that their decisions and choices for the future had changed as a result of what I presented.

How are YouTube videos different? It’s still me, in front of an audience. Me talking about what I talk about. Kind of like what you are reading about here. You’d think I’d be more nervous about a live audience – where I can’t edit, delete or change anything.

What is happening is YouTube is tapping into latent perfectionism that I have not yet expunged from my life. I hate it.

I plan to kick perfectionism in the teeth tomorrow. I’ll shoot those videos and get them to an editor. Teeth kicking time.

Perfectionism is the enemy of progress.

A combination of personality, preference and upbringing created perfectionism in me. I love good work. I hate bad work. I appreciate effort, thoughtfulness and details. I can’t stand not trying, not thinking or not paying attention.

I was raised that things should be done right or they shouldn’t be done at all.

I was raised that 1% off from the bullseye was a 100% miss.

That’s tough.

It has had the twin impact of driving me to work harder (when harder work wasn’t needed) or not trying (when trying was needed) because failure wasn’t an option. And failure was defined as anything that wasn’t 100% successful the first time attempted.

So, I either went crazy trying to get everything right. Or I just avoided it.

Let me tell you – Years ago, I started taking ballroom dance lessons. It was better for me than counseling. Everything about it scared me. That’s how I knew I needed to be there. Nothing like learning to accept being less than perfect when standing inches away from an attractive woman.

(I did eventually discover that whomever I was dancing with was usually at least as self-conscious as I was. That made it a little easier.)

That’s why I’m shooting those stupid videos tomorrow. I don’t know if people will watch them or not. I just need to do it so I can grow.

Now, I write this article and will shoot these videos because I do want to benefit my readers (and possible viewers).

Right now, though, I can’t benefit anyone if I’m still in my way.

Five Ways I’m Kicking Perfectionism in The Teeth and You Can Too.

Here is what I’m working through. I’m going to be very transparent because I want you to see how I’m relating to it and that this is very real to me:

1.Remember “Why?” Why am I shooting these videos?

I’m having my third child next month. So, I want to grow my business to prepare.  I love that I can do that by providing value to others for free. My “Why?” – To make sure my wife has whatever option she wants in terms of staying home or going back to work. To take finances completely off the table as a concern in regards to her decision making.

2. Remember Past Successes (Confront fear with truth): In what ways or areas have I succeeded in something similar?

I’m often nervous before I speak publically. Even though I do it all the time. Especially if it is a new audience or new topic and I don’t know what to expect.

But I’m good at it. People like what I offer and how I offer it. So, I’m asked (and paid) to speak. I overcome or push through my nervousness so that I can offer that value. It works. Success.

I was very nervous about committing to writing a weekly blog/newsletter. What would I say? Could I keep the commitment? What if people didn’t like it? What if everyone unsubscribed?

My list of subscribers keeps growing. I receive positive feedback on nearly a daily basis. It directly impacts the profitability of my business. Success.

3. Define What Progress Looks Like (Not Perfection): As opposed to producing the perfect set of videos what is a reasonable degree of progress to pursue?

Progress would look like setting a goal to shoot 5 videos and actually getting them done in a day. Progress would look like accepting “good enough” quality. Progress would look like focusing on what the viewer needs (valuable content, good audio) and not focusing on what is less important (how do I look, why does my voice sound like that, why do I seem so “stiff?”). 

4. Visualize Success: Stop investing time, emotional and creative energy in imagining failure. Instead intentionally imagine success. (Besides, what is the worst that could happen?)

I can imagine that I’ll produce 5 “good enough” videos this month. I can imagine that I’ll receive feedback similar to anything else that I do. That is, people will tell me that they’ve been helped, their perspective has changed, their results have changed, they are forwarding it on to others, that their home life is being impacted for good as well as their work life.

I can expect that about 1% of the feedback will be about some technical flaw or something they disagree with.

Ok. That doesn’t sound too scary.

5. Offer Grace to Others: Grace, in this context, is a theological term. It means seeing value/offering value in or to someone who hasn’t earned it.

It doesn’t mean there is no value in the other person. It just means my offering of value isn’t dependent on that. I am just choosing to give something good. Regardless of what they have done.

I can watch five YouTube videos of others. Maybe “competitors.” Maybe friends or colleagues. Maybe someone I don’t even know. And I can “like” them. I can look for and find value in what they created. I can provide positive comments. I can forward their videos on to someone else.

OK. I’m in a much better headspace to shoot my videos now. I’m still working out the editing side – so it might be a couple months before you can see them. But, now, I feel like I don’t have to be perfect. I just need to do a good job. By doing that I’ll learn and grow and be able to do an even better job next time.

I hope this helps you. The thought came to mind that this could sound self-indulgent.

But.. I’m not going to worry about it. I hope this helps you. I know it helped me.

I’d love to hear your feedback about how you’ve used this article to help you break free from perfectionism and make meaningful progress.

The Leadership Success Mindset Series

This is my third article on the critical mindsets for success in leadership. If you’d like to get caught up, please go to:

7 Ways to Develop a Perspective of Abundance

3 Powerful Practices for an Abundant Life 

If you are reading this anywhere but my website – please go to: www.vantageconsulting.org/christianmuntean to read other helpful articles on leadership, teams, mindset and success.