7 reasons why "Done" is better than "Perfect"

A lesson I learned from Playing TETRIS

Are you caught in "The Perfection Trap"?¹

As creative beings, we often strive for perfection, believing that it is the key to success in our endeavours. However, the truth is that perfectionism can be a double-edged sword, holding us back from realizing our full creative potential. According to acclaimed author Dr. Thomas Curran, the trappings of perfectionism can actually hinder creativity, causing us to prioritize self-criticism over actual productivity. This post aims to explore the ways in which perfectionism is holding you back from your creative pursuits, and provide tips for artists who struggle with perfectionism.

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Curran is the world's leading expert on perfectionism and Associate Professor of Psychology at The London School of Economics and Political Science. I first came to learn of his work through a fascinating interview by Brené Brown (on her Unlocking Us podcast).

Curran explains that perfectionism is a personality trait that is characterized by high standards AND a fear of making mistakes. It's a trap that confines creatives, and stands in the way of their growth. "The pursuit of perfection is a double-edged sword" "On one hand, it can motivate you to do great things, but it can also lead to burnout, anxiety, and depression".

The French Author and philosopher Voltaire also wisely stated, "The best is the enemy of the good." The concept of 'done' is far more beneficial and fulfilling than that of 'perfect'.

IS THIS TRUE?

Don’t we WANT things to be PERFECT?

Is this ATTAINABLE?

I don’t know the answers per se, but I do know I have often missed deadlines, avoided starting (or finishing) projects and many times have over-worked paintings because I didn’t recognize when I was choosing perfectionism over progress. As anyone who is an artist knows (especially those of us who have ADHD) we can sometimes get so fixated on a problem we can stress ourselves out and in fact cause the piece of work to fail EPICALLY as a result. As an artist who has done this repeatedly and also observed this with my painting students, I know it all too well.

We keep “fixing” this tiny problem on our painting or drawing… We fix it over and over and over until the whole thing becomes an over-worked mess… I call it famously in my classes “LOVING IT TO DEATH”.

I first experienced this at a young age when my obsessive teenage brain wanted to get the eyes of my Corey Hart ( famous for his song “sunglasses at night” ) pencil portrait just right. I erased them and fixed them repeatedly to the point where I literally wore a hole in the paper. Not only was the portrait ruined, but I had removed his eyes completely, with my teeny,tiny, aggressive erasing. Sorry Corey! In hindsight I should have just put his famous sunglasses on ???!?!?

Another way in which perfectionism can hinder creativity is through self-criticism. When we are overly critical of ourselves, we are less likely to produce work that we are proud of, and more likely to shut down our creative process altogether. As Curran notes, "We become our own worst critics, diminishing our ability to be open, curious and creative. This tendency can become so strong that it can actually cause performance to deteriorate."

Ok, this is going to sound weird BUT, the lightbulb went on for me on this idea whilst playing TETRIS. It’s a video game that my husband and I like to play on the arcade “together” (secretly competing). I often would run out of space waiting for the perfect shape to be sent to me by the TETRIS gods. This would be my downfall. The flaw in my performance was my need to have EVERY SINGLE PIECE fit so satisfyingly & perfectly together; trying to build a solid wall each time without any gaps. As soon as I let go of this debilitating need, and accepted a few gaps, I won every level at an increasingly impressive speed I might add! The good news is I learned to act quickly, make decisions and accept the flaws in favour of performance. This helped immensely. The bad news is my husband doesn’t want to play with me any more.

So, how can we all let go of perfectionism in favour of cultivating positive creativity and progress?

One tip is to reframe our thinking around failure. Instead of seeing failure as a negative outcome, we can view it as a necessary step towards growth and improvement and refining our skills.

This leads us to my:

7 tips on how and why choosing DONE is better than PERFECT:

1. Completion Fuels Confidence

Finishing a project provides a sense of accomplishment that perfectionism rarely offers. Each completed project boosts your confidence and reinforces your belief in your ability to create and finish your work.

2. Progress Over Perfection

In the grand tapestry of creativity, each finished piece is a stepping stone towards improvement. By completing projects, you allow yourself to learn from them and move on. This continuous cycle of creating, learning, and improving is the bedrock of artistic growth. Take these lessons or areas of “imperfection” to your NEXT project. This will help you to avoid LOVING IT TO DEATH.

3. Feedback is Invaluable

A project has to be out in the world to receive feedback. Waiting for something to be perfect may mean it never sees the light of day. Feedback is crucial for development and improvement. It offers perspectives you might not have considered and encourages dialogue around your work.

4. Done Creates Opportunities

Every completed project is an opportunity to be seen, to connect, and to open doors. Work that remains unfinished can't be submitted to galleries, shared with audiences, or sold to patrons. Finished work, even if imperfect, has the potential to lead to new opportunities.

5. Perfection is Subjective

What is perfect to you might not be to someone else, and vice versa. Art is inherently subjective, and striving for a universally accepted 'perfect' is futile. Completing and releasing your work allows it to be appreciated for what it is, imperfections and all. It also allows you to connect more authentically with others!

6. Imperfections Add Character

Often, it's the small flaws and imperfections in art that give it character and make it memorable. These 'flaws' can become the signature of your style, setting your work apart from others.

7. Freedom to Explore

When you release yourself from the need for perfection, you gain the freedom to experiment with new techniques, ideas, and concepts. This openness to exploration can lead to breakthroughs and innovations that would never have been possible under the constraints of perfectionism.

Remember, dear creatives, the beauty of art lies in its ability to evoke emotion, provoke thought, and inspire change—not in its perfection. Next time you find yourself stuck in the perfectionist trap, remind yourself that done is not only good; it's better than perfect.

In the spirit of moving forward, create with courage, finish with pride, and remember, your art doesn't have to be perfect to be impactful.

“One of the greatest gifts of art is the freedom to experiment and make mistakes. Try letting go of the need for perfection and allow yourself to play and explore. Embrace the unexpected and allow your creative impulses to guide you. Whether it's through abstract painting or free-writing, let yourself be led by intuition.”

I also chatted a bit about “Embracing Imperfection” in:

How to "SEE" like an artist...

Finally, if you're struggling with perfectionism, seek support. Talk to other creatives who have overcome this hurdle, and learn from them. Remember, you're not alone in this struggle. As Curran says, "creativity is a process, not a product.

It is hard…like really, really hard to push forth. It took me two months to write this entry as a result because I wanted to cover ALL OF THE THINGS! That is part of the paralysis, but also part of the journey to self- acceptance. Keep creating, keep learning, and keep growing!

I would LOVE to hear from you all of the ways in which you too may either be burdened by “perfectionism” or by what you’ve learned in letting go!

Warmly,

Crystal Beshara

1. https://www.thomcurran.com/