Being a perfectionist is a funny thing; you derive such pleasure from seeing something done JUST right, and yet, at times, there will be people around you wondering why the heck EVERY little thing needs to be just right...and you may begin to wonder yourself. It is then that you may decide that it is time to stop being a perfectionist.

There's nothing wrong with wanting things to look and sound "just right," especially in situations where it is crucial to make a good impression. The trick here is to realize that not everything needs to be perfect; in fact, a little bit of imperfection can go a long way!

So, how do we start? Here's the trick: get busy, so that you can get lazy. Don't freak out yet! I know the word "lazy" probably just scared you perfectionists out there, and when you saw the word "busy" you probably thought "but I'm busy already!" Here's the trick: right now, as a perfectionist, you are busy doing nothing. Calm down! It may seem like that's not the case; you may feel like you are awfully busy doing an awful lot of something, but really think about how much time you are investing in miniscule details that perhaps get minor to no recognition in the big projects in your life right now. All that time spent re-wording the conclusion of your paper, re-arranging the items on your desk, and keeping your books in alphabetical order could be spent taking on something new and exciting, like a new sport, hobby, club, or even friendship!

So...get busy! Go out and see what kinds of classes are being offered at the local gym, see if there's a cool elective you can take, get a new pet, buy some models to build, go dancing, meet people, or get addicted to blogging, forums, and sites like this one! Find distractions, and soon enough, you'll find yourself getting just a little more lazy about all those minor details like your unmade bed, disorderly desk, and small pile of dirty dishes in the sink. Don't worry; the reason you are a perfectionist in the first place is because it is a part of you to be orderly, so you can trust yourself not to let things get out of control. Just take up a little more of your time with new and fun projects, live life a little more, and you'll have less time to act on those perfectionist impulses.

Now what did I mean by a little imperfection can go a long way? I meant that the minor, most likely overlooked (by other people) things that you normally so dwell on will slowly become things you can forgive yourself for...and that's a good thing! We're only human! It's easy to forgive yourself for not spending the normal 20 minutes on your hair because you were rushing out the door to go paintballing, and when you realize that nobody out in the world that day has judged you for those stray strands you had to occasionally brush out of your eyes, you'll be a happier person.

Learn more about this author, Shannon Burton.
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