Why Perfectionism is Killing Your Dreams (and How to Fix It)

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You know that feeling when you’re starting a new project, and suddenly you’re lost in a sea of tiny details? Yeah, that’s our ADHD perfectionism kicking in. It’s like our brains are trying to protect us from potential mistakes by keeping us stuck in distractions, and focusing on things that don’t matter.

I recently chatted with a client who’s been trying to launch a website for his business. Instead of taking action, he’s been spinning his wheels, asking questions like, “Should my website be on this platform or that platform?” or “What’s a good conversion rate to keep myself motivated?” Sound familiar?

Here’s the thing: while these questions aren’t bad, they’re not the right ones to be asking when you’re trying to get something off the ground. They’re just fancy ways our brains keep us safe from the scary stuff – like putting ourselves out there and risking criticism.

Overcoming ADHD Perfectionism With Messy Action

Let me share a little secret with you. I recently hit 100,000 subscribers on my YouTube channel (woo-hoo!), and let me tell you, it wasn’t because I had everything perfect from day one.

In fact, if you go back and look at my first 100 videos or so, you’ll see a hot mess. We’re talking sound and lips completely out of sync, lousy editing, and even one video where an Instagram logo mysteriously appears over my face for a good chunk of time. Yep, that happened.

But here’s the kicker: despite all those imperfections, I kept going. I took what I call “messy action” – putting stuff out there even when it wasn’t perfect. And guess what? The more I did it, the better I got.

Overcoming ADHD Perfectionism: Strategies for Moving Forward

So, how do we break free from the perfectionism trap? Here are a few strategies I’ve found helpful:

1. Focus on the Big Picture: Instead of getting lost in the details, ask yourself: What problem am I solving? Who am I solving it for? What impact do I want to make and why is it important?
2. Embrace Messy Action: Remember, done is better than perfect. Put your work out there, even if it’s not flawless. You can always improve as you go.
3. Reframe Mistakes as Learning Opportunities: Every “mistake” is a chance to learn and improve. Trust me, those early YouTube bloopers taught me more than any “how-to” guide ever could.
4. Set Curiosity-Based Goals: Instead of rigid objectives, try setting goals based on curiosity. For example, “What would happen if I posted on Instagram consistently for 30 days?”
5. Remember the ‘Why’: Keep the emotional connection to your goal in mind. If you’re passionate about what you’re doing, it’s easier to push through the perfectionism.

Is the Juice Worth the Squeeze?

At the end of the day, it all comes down to this question: Is the juice worth the squeeze? If what you’re working towards really matters to you, then you’ve got to be willing to put yourself out there, imperfections and all.

Trust me, the regret of not trying is way more painful than the discomfort of being a beginner or making a few mistakes along the way.

Takeaways for Beating ADHD Perfectionism

1. Recognize when you’re getting lost in details as a form of procrastination.
2. Embrace “messy action” – doing something imperfectly is better than doing nothing at all.
3. Focus on the big picture rather than getting caught up in minutiae.
4. Use curiosity-based goals to take the pressure off and make progress fun.
5. Remember that mistakes are learning opportunities, not failures.
6. Keep your ‘why’ in mind to stay motivated through the messy middle.
7. Ask yourself: “Is the juice worth the squeeze?” If yes, push forward despite your fears.

So, my ADHD friends, I challenge you to take one messy action today towards a goal you’ve been overthinking. Remember, progress beats perfection every time.