• Are you a perfectionist?
• Do you want to become a perfectionist?
• Are you very disorganized?
• You do not want to do anything with perfection?
• Do you do things for the sake of doing it?

If you are any of these, interesting!

Let us analyze. If you are not a Perfectionist and you want to be one, doors are open for you. Though it may not be an easy thing to do, it is achievable if you are determined.

Being a perfectionist is all about priorities, and getting your ducks in a row never hurts. Follow through. There is no point in making a to-do list if you do not discipline yourself to complete the tasks you have assigned yourself. There are many ways to stick to your to-do list.

• It is better to do something imperfectly than to do nothing flawlessly.
• Use what talent you possess: the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best.
• Aim for success, not perfection.
• Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor.

“People call me a perfectionist, but I am not. I am a rightist. I do something until it is right, and then I move on to the next thing.”
― James Cameron

Believe me, if you are not a perfectionist but are attempting to inch towards perfection, it will work wonders for you. You can feel the transformation in you and your surroundings. You will be well-organized, well-articulated, and well-appreciated. Who does not want these things in life? All of us want to achieve these things to lead a wholesome life.

There is a need to understand that being a perfectionist in life is a big merit. But it is an overrated merit too. Being in the skin of your imperfections is also a merit as you are at peace with yourself whereas a perfectionist is always at war with his emotions. He wants to please everyone around him with his perfect work. In the process, he makes more enemies than friends.

Today, we live in a culture where perfection is glamorized, and anything less is looked down upon. This has caused many people to go to extreme lengths seeking the perfect body, spouse, career, and so on, making them constantly dissatisfied with themselves. Understandably, the pursuit of perfection can be a driving force for many people, pushing them to strive for the best in all aspects of their lives. However, this phenomenon, known as “perfectionism,” can also be a significant roadblock to achieving goals and leading a fulfilling life. It can lead to disappointment, frustration, and, at worst, the belief that nothing is ever good enough. You are also on a constant mission of: Yeh Dil Maange More!

However, there is a need to understand that all high achievers are necessarily perfectionists. Hence, to understand the depth of perfectionism, it is essential to distinguish between being a high-achiever and being a perfectionist. Both desire success, but high-achievers are driven by a desire to do their best, while perfectionists, many times are driven by fear and held back by the fear of failure. High-achievers aim for excellence and maximize their potential with present control, while perfectionists focus on flawlessness and avoid criticism, resulting in inaction.

Now that you want to embark on your journey of perfection and want to be known as a perfectionist, as a first measure get a calendar/planner, and write all the things that you must do on that day, not just the important things. As for a perfectionist, everything is important.

This should be followed by a ‘to-do’ list for your day. Your daily or immediate list should never be more than 4-5 items long, or you are taking on too much and setting yourself up for failure. Mark one or two of those items as things you absolutely must get done that day, and pursue those tasks relentlessly until you get them done.

Now that you have taken care of each day. Now, the time is to approach the week. Start with preparing a ‘to-do’ list for the week which should include your personal work, official work, and social work. These would be grocery shopping, visiting the doctor, fixing the leaking taps, going for a swim, taking a nap, taking up children’s homework or preparing the Excel sheet. A whiteboard or board with erasable markers can help to remember all one has to do every day or long-term goals.

Now that your week is sorted, start working towards making a ‘to-do’ list for the month. This list would have more general tasks like purchasing gifts, festival shopping, kitty parties, car servicing, visiting a mall, watching movies, etc. You can also draw from this list to make your daily and weekly to-do list.

Now the most unthinkable, prepare a blueprint for your life. Drastic, yes, but why not use this time to rethink your life and where it is going? Being a perfectionist is all about priorities, and getting your ducks in a row never hurts.

“Perfectionism is not a quest for the best. It is a pursuit of the worst in ourselves, the part that tells us that nothing we do will ever be good enough – that we should try again. Good enough is good enough.”

 So, take that first step in your journey towards perfection and be happyHo!