I had a conversation with a friend yesterday who is writing songs but is held back by wanting to perfect them before sharing them with anyone.
The sentiment comes from a good place. We want to produce quality work. That said, if it prohibits you from moving forward, is it a positive endeavour to seek perfection? Iām not sure.
Two great points. Here is what has worked well for me. Maybe it can help you and the readers:
1.) For perfectionism, we can often imagine how something would be if it came out perfect. From there, go back and ask: How good would it need to be to be considered good enough? In many many attempts at this I found that the "good enough point" appears to be between 80% and 85% of perfect. Anybody suggesting Pareto - I see you. š
2.) For multi-tasking: Instead of taking on a single task and work on it until it is done, I recommend working on it until the progress towards completion slows down. I am sure you all know how that feels. Then focus on the next task until that get to the slow-down point. In my team we called it: "Fast switching focused task work". For outsiders it might appear like multi-tasking but its much better and much more effective and efficient. Try it.
So, I was (accidentally) doing Wabi sabi when I started my publication, I just didn't know it was called that! I wasn't trying to be perfect, and it shows...now I am correcting some things. But, had I waited for perfection, I wouldn't get anything published or recorded.
great post Derek. Resonates a lot with the kinds of things that bubble out of my finger tips to help me get through the conditioned mindsets of never being good enough. I appreciate the methodical presentation of your insights. Great to feel like I have teammates on team Wabi Sabi!
...nothing feels better than when you can do this but depending on the work or the industry it can be nigh almost impossible...if forced to multitask i like the idea of channel switching/stopping...figure out what you want to watch, then watch it...pause it if you need to go grab water, etc. but when you are doing a thing, do only that thing...
Rightly said: to hell with multitasking š
I had a conversation with a friend yesterday who is writing songs but is held back by wanting to perfect them before sharing them with anyone.
The sentiment comes from a good place. We want to produce quality work. That said, if it prohibits you from moving forward, is it a positive endeavour to seek perfection? Iām not sure.
The idea of perfection is an illusion.
Two great points. Here is what has worked well for me. Maybe it can help you and the readers:
1.) For perfectionism, we can often imagine how something would be if it came out perfect. From there, go back and ask: How good would it need to be to be considered good enough? In many many attempts at this I found that the "good enough point" appears to be between 80% and 85% of perfect. Anybody suggesting Pareto - I see you. š
2.) For multi-tasking: Instead of taking on a single task and work on it until it is done, I recommend working on it until the progress towards completion slows down. I am sure you all know how that feels. Then focus on the next task until that get to the slow-down point. In my team we called it: "Fast switching focused task work". For outsiders it might appear like multi-tasking but its much better and much more effective and efficient. Try it.
Big wabi-sabi fan here. Iād originally heard of it in regard to aesthetic and really like your application of it to oneās mindset.
So, I was (accidentally) doing Wabi sabi when I started my publication, I just didn't know it was called that! I wasn't trying to be perfect, and it shows...now I am correcting some things. But, had I waited for perfection, I wouldn't get anything published or recorded.
And, yes to single tasking!
Thanks For this amazing piece. Pretty isn't productivity.
great post Derek. Resonates a lot with the kinds of things that bubble out of my finger tips to help me get through the conditioned mindsets of never being good enough. I appreciate the methodical presentation of your insights. Great to feel like I have teammates on team Wabi Sabi!
...nothing feels better than when you can do this but depending on the work or the industry it can be nigh almost impossible...if forced to multitask i like the idea of channel switching/stopping...figure out what you want to watch, then watch it...pause it if you need to go grab water, etc. but when you are doing a thing, do only that thing...
HBD Chief Wifey!
I'm working on giving up multi-tasking, which now feels like the norm.
I love the concept of wabi-sabi and will try to remember it next time I am single-tasking.