The Perfectionism Trap:

Why 80% Is the New 100%

Are you constantly tweaking that social media post, agonizing over every word in your website copy, or endlessly refining your product before launch?

You might be caught in the perfectionism trap, and it's time to break free!

The High Cost of Chasing Perfection

At Legacy Production House, we've seen countless entrepreneurs and creatives fall into this trap. They spend months, even years, trying to achieve the "perfect" brand image, content, or product.

But! Perfection is a myth, and it's costing you more than you realize.

Consider this:

According to a study published in the Journal of Counseling & Development, perfectionism is strongly linked to procrastination and can significantly hinder progress and success.

It can also increase the cost of developement of the business due to paying more money for iterations and refinements.

The 80/20 Rule: Your New Best Friend

This principle suggests to be happy with 80% perfect and to not worry about the extra 20%.

In other words, that last 20% you're obsessing over?

It's probably not making as big a difference as you think.

Let's dive deeper into why chasing that extra 20% of perfection often isn't worth the time, headache, and money involved:

1. Diminishing Returns:

The effort required to move from 80% to 100% perfection is often disproportionate to the results. You might spend hours tweaking a single paragraph or adjusting the shade of blue in your logo, but will your audience really notice or care?

2. Opportunity Cost:

While you're obsessing over minor details, you're missing out on other opportunities. That time could be spent creating new content, engaging with your audience, or developing new products or services.

3. Analysis Paralysis:

Striving for perfection can lead to overthinking and indecision. This paralysis prevents you from taking action and moving forward with your business.

4. Market Feedback:

Launching at 80% allows you to gather real-world feedback. Your audience's response is far more valuable than any amount of internal perfectionism.

5. Adaptability:

The digital landscape is constantly evolving. What seems perfect today might be outdated tomorrow. Embracing the 80/20 rule allows you to stay agile and responsive to changes.

6. Stress Reduction:

Constantly chasing perfection is exhausting and can lead to burnout. Accepting "good enough" can significantly reduce stress and improve your overall well-being.

7. Consistency Over Perfection:

Regular, consistent output at 80% quality is more valuable than sporadic, "perfect" content. It keeps your audience engaged and helps build your brand over time.

8. Learning Opportunities:

Mistakes and imperfections are valuable learning experiences. They provide insights that can help you improve and grow.

Fear: The Hidden Culprit

When we talk about perfectionism, we often think of it as a noble pursuit of excellence. However, what many don't realize is that perfectionism is often a mask worn by our deepest fears.

Fear of Failure:

The thought of not meeting expectations - whether our own or others'. We convince ourselves that if everything is perfect, we can't fail. But in reality, this fear often prevents us from even starting, let alone succeeding.

Fear of Success:

Surprisingly, the fear of success can be just as powerful as the fear of failure. Success brings change, responsibility, and often increased visibility. For some, the prospect of stepping into a larger role or facing new challenges is daunting. Perfectionism becomes a way to delay this transition, keeping us in our comfort zone.

Fear of the Unknown:

Embarking on a new venture or project means stepping into uncharted territory. The unknown can be terrifying, and perfectionism offers a false sense of control.

Fear of Judgment:

In today's hyper-connected world, the fear of being judged harshly by others is more prevalent than ever. Perfectionism can act as a shield, making us believe that if our work is flawless, we'll be immune to criticism. However, this often leads to never sharing our work at all.

Fear of Vulnerability:

Putting our work out into the world means exposing a part of ourselves. Perfectionism can be a way of protecting ourselves from feeling vulnerable. If everything is perfect, we don't have to face the discomfort of being truly seen.

As I put it, "Perfectionism is procrastination wearing a tuxedo." This clever analogy highlights how perfectionism can dress up our fears and procrastination in a seemingly respectable character. It looks good on the surface, but underneath, it's still holding us back.

Common Mistakes and Solutions

Mistake: Endless Revisions

Sollution: Set a limit on the number of revisions you'll make before launching.

Mistake: Comparison Paralysis

Sollution: Focus on your unique value proposition instead of trying to match competitors.

Mistake: Waiting for the "Perfect" Time

Sollution: Remember, there's no perfect time. The best time is now.

Another Solution:

Consider working with a mindset coach like Kristy Obst

(https://www.kristyrenaeobst.com/) who specializes in helping entrepreneurs overcome limiting beliefs and take action.

Embracing Progress Over Perfection

At Legacy Production House, we've learned that done is better than perfect. Our Retainer Package is designed to help you get your brand and online presence up and running quickly, focusing on the core elements that will make the biggest impact.

Remember, your audience is looking for authenticity, not perfection. They want to connect with real people and real stories.