Work In Progress
“Work in Progress” has been my recent theme as I prepared to launch my author page/website/blog. I researched for months about what platform to build my website on. Considered hiring someone to build my website. Then started creating the website, making numerous changes, testing and retesting how it was working, and writing and editing and then repeating all of the above. And then I saw the forest in the midst of the trees. Here is the lesson.
It is easy to get caught up in the details of a plan or project, such that the plan or project stalls and never happens. With any endeavor there are many details; many “T’s to cross and I’s to dot” and it is important to do so. Now for sure, details are important. Paying attention to detail ensures that what you want to happen, happens. Attention to detail improves quality, makes you more effective, decreases errors, increases accuracy, improves the likelihood that outcomes will be positive, impresses your boss, impresses others around you, impresses your mom (*smile) and simply put, makes you look highly professional like you got it goin’ on'. Details are a good thing.
However, if you find yourself drowning in detail, feeling overwhelmed with particulars or getting burned out in specifics, it is time to take a step back. Take a deep breath and pause for a moment. Close your eyes and allow yourself to breath. Take a literal step back and go outside. Breath some fresh air. Take a walk. Allow yourself some time and space away from the task at hand.
Now you can decide what is most important. The fact is all details are not a priority. And some really may not be that important at all. Determine what is most important for you right now. Key words there are “for you” and “right now”. If you consider what you are working on as a “work in progress” (WIP) then you can let go of the idea of getting every detail completed to perfection. The fact is when you are creating something, giving birth to an idea or manifesting a dream it rarely goes on a straight perfect line. It has twists and turns.
The great thing about the concept of a WIP is that you can share it. You can put it out there and know that some details may come later. In most instances, we can continue to tweak, edit, add to, redesign, revamp and make changes. Don’t allow perfection to get in the way of progress. Do a job well. Do it the best you can. And then celebrate what you have accomplished thus far. Know that whatever it is, it is a WIP. And that means you can continue to perfect it.
Are you working on a project that is being stalled by perfectionism? This could be a large project or a small project (both of which are relative to perspective). Take a moment and reframe it as a “work in progress”. What is most important for you right now? Tell us about it in the comments below.
