Imperfect action achieves more than perfect inaction

Imperfect action – just get started

This is something I talk about all the time with clients. I am in a good position to be really honest about this because I used to be a perfectionist. Some of you might think I still am! However I prefer to describe myself now as a reformed perfectionist. Don’t get me wrong, I still love the detail however I have learned to accept that it is OK to make mistakes; that it is OK to not be perfect. Which is incredibly liberating because it means it doesn’t matter if I get it wrong. In fact it’s a good thing if I make a mistake, because it means I learned something. More importantly, I am learning to NOT let perfectionism get in my way.

When you want to achieve something, it’s impossible unless you get started! Getting started IS the first step. Sounds obvious, but it’s true. When you try to be perfect (which by the way is impossible), it encourages you to procrastinate and put things off. Not having the perfect product or the perfect website or the perfect CV or the perfect LinkedIn profile or the perfect brochure (you get the picture) is a GREAT excuse to put things off and not get started. When in fact the real reason you haven’t started might be because you’re scared: scared of failure or sometimes perhaps scared of success.

Very recently I joined The Details Director‘s Finished in 15 challenge. And I’m loving it. Her Finished in 15 e-course is a mini version of her Project 30 package. What I’ve loved is that she helps you turn that project or ‘must do’ task on your to do list into realistic and do-able bite-sized actions that you can complete in just 15 minutes a day. Brilliant! I’m using this to launch my new content subscription (or podcast) version of The Confident Mother interviews.

Imperfect action achieves more than perfect inaction.

As I power my way through the launch of the podcast (something I’ve been thinking about for several weeks), I realise that the other project I’ve been dilly dallying over is the launch of The Confident Mother Experience. I was scared it wouldn’t work; I wanted it to be perfect; I was worried nobody would want it. Yet I have been thinking about this concept for months! Literally. And it’s been available on my website for ages … but I’ve not taken the bold step of telling people about it.

When you run your own business, it’s not enough to put your products and services on your website. If you want to change career, it’s not enough to update your LinkedIn profile. You need to talk to people – the people who are your target audience. You need to share what you offer. You need to tell them what to do next. How to work with you.

Whereas I have been procrastinating. Procrastinating because I hadn’t found the perfect venue. I felt that when I found “the” venue, my energy would change.  That will generate more excitement and in turn more action.

But … I really should listen to myself more often. One of my favourite phrases when I work with clients is “Imperfect action achieves SO much more than perfect inaction”. It doesn’t matter if the first step isn’t perfect … but if you don’t take that first step, you’ll never get started. And if you don’t get started, guess what? Yes, you’ll never get what you want.

Perhaps you’re curious now about The Confident Mother Experience. Maybe you’ve read my blog posts in the past where I discuss the confidence circle. Mums are loving this concept. They relish the opportunity to explore the five elements (work, wellness, contribution, family and the feminine) and whether the balance is right for them at this stage in their lives.

The Confident Mother Experience is for you if you’re looking for what to do next with your life – whether that’s go back to work, change how or where you work, start a business or grow your existing business. We make sense of that together. You spend time with me focused on working out the balance that’s right for you to be The Confident Mother. We do this away from your normal environment and everyday stresses; for me that means taking you to enjoy the fresh air and countryside in Kent. You will love the one-to-one attention in a structured and focused way so that you achieve the confidence and clarity you need.

Find out more by booking your complimentary clarity conversation.

More than anything, remember that imperfect action achieves more than perfect inaction.