I loved this essay Vicky. You did a great job introducing some critical distinctions around perfectionism and what it can really be on the upside. I love the concept of care (sorge) and how being authentic to one's own vision and potential can fuel excellence that rises above the mediocrity of cultural norms. I'm with you on the path of real perfectionism. Inspired now to meet my day with this in mind. Thank you.
Also, most people who tear down "perfectionists" are just resentful they don't have anything they love so deeply.
Perhaps some part of them is heartbroken at this and some part is scared it will never change. I don't judge that person too harshly... I've certainly been them at times... but caring deeply and trying hard is a more beautiful existence.
This resonates a lot, Vicky. I too have this "lean startup" mindset extremely ingrained in me, which has helped me tremendously, until it hasn't. I tend to rush things in the name of productivity, bias for action, etc. And the trick has been realizing where I need to be a perfectionist and where I should keep that lean mindset. Your questions, and your "care" are a great guide and also articulation of the problem.
Also, two books have served me a lot this year: Mastery and Slow Productivity. The first one to reconnect with my true essence and what I've always liked, and the second to find a way to make it sustainable in this fast-paced, and mostly zoom/email/pseudoproductivity world. One of the principles in the book is "Obsess over quality", which again, goes well in hand with your essay.
Anyway, to practice what I'm preaching, I'm currently writing a movie script, and have had to prevent myself from rushing it and have to constantly remind myself that the project will probably take 2-3 years until the movie is out, and at the same time this excites me and makes it seem larger than me.
P.S. I really need to catch one of your Da Vinci Cafés, will try to be in one of the next ones!
This hit me deep. I've been wrestling a lot with creative process this year and I've come to the same point. I was afraid of perfectionism in myself and so embraced the "perfect is the enemy of the good". But this year I've been watching some creators on YouTube who have created art — they have put a ridiculous amount of effort in and come out with gold. Then Cal Newport's keystone in Slow Productivity that you should "Obsess Over Quality" floored me. Perfectionism is a virtue in an age that is drowning in noise. I now feel responsible for the signal rather than throwing a lot of unpolished gems out there expecting my audience to do the work of finding pure signal. Great piece — love the connection with Heidegger's Sorge
“It's at the finishings that you must come to terms with the idea that perfection is a necessary goal, precisely because it is unattainable. If you don't aim for perfection, you cannot make anything great. And yet true perfection is impossible.”
— Said by the tailor in the final scene of The Outfit
“Strive for excellence, and you’ll succeed. Strive for perfection, and you’ll have a nervous breakdown.”
I loved this essay Vicky. You did a great job introducing some critical distinctions around perfectionism and what it can really be on the upside. I love the concept of care (sorge) and how being authentic to one's own vision and potential can fuel excellence that rises above the mediocrity of cultural norms. I'm with you on the path of real perfectionism. Inspired now to meet my day with this in mind. Thank you.
Always love the way you rephrase the ideas Rick. The world looks different with this lens on… almost a little blurry for me 😅
That's beautiful Vicky, and not enough discussed, the promising blur that comes with a fresh view.
things can look more beautiful when they're blurry haha
You definitely transformed the notion of overoptimizing systems to a optimal level.
🤤
Haha these days I’m having serious trouble figuring out what’s over and under optimizing
Yes, and that's what you've been doing for as long as I can remember.
Piecing together what has been over-optimized to what has been under-optimized because together?
The whole is greater than the sum of it's a parts!
If anyone is close enough to finding your solutions to your own problems, it's also you naturally asking the right question ⁉️.
As James Clear said in his 3-2-1 Thursdays.
Improve your life by your standards doesn't work, rather expanding boundaries leads to improving life.
This piece is great.
Also, most people who tear down "perfectionists" are just resentful they don't have anything they love so deeply.
Perhaps some part of them is heartbroken at this and some part is scared it will never change. I don't judge that person too harshly... I've certainly been them at times... but caring deeply and trying hard is a more beautiful existence.
This resonates a lot, Vicky. I too have this "lean startup" mindset extremely ingrained in me, which has helped me tremendously, until it hasn't. I tend to rush things in the name of productivity, bias for action, etc. And the trick has been realizing where I need to be a perfectionist and where I should keep that lean mindset. Your questions, and your "care" are a great guide and also articulation of the problem.
Also, two books have served me a lot this year: Mastery and Slow Productivity. The first one to reconnect with my true essence and what I've always liked, and the second to find a way to make it sustainable in this fast-paced, and mostly zoom/email/pseudoproductivity world. One of the principles in the book is "Obsess over quality", which again, goes well in hand with your essay.
Anyway, to practice what I'm preaching, I'm currently writing a movie script, and have had to prevent myself from rushing it and have to constantly remind myself that the project will probably take 2-3 years until the movie is out, and at the same time this excites me and makes it seem larger than me.
P.S. I really need to catch one of your Da Vinci Cafés, will try to be in one of the next ones!
This hit me deep. I've been wrestling a lot with creative process this year and I've come to the same point. I was afraid of perfectionism in myself and so embraced the "perfect is the enemy of the good". But this year I've been watching some creators on YouTube who have created art — they have put a ridiculous amount of effort in and come out with gold. Then Cal Newport's keystone in Slow Productivity that you should "Obsess Over Quality" floored me. Perfectionism is a virtue in an age that is drowning in noise. I now feel responsible for the signal rather than throwing a lot of unpolished gems out there expecting my audience to do the work of finding pure signal. Great piece — love the connection with Heidegger's Sorge
Two thoughts:
“It's at the finishings that you must come to terms with the idea that perfection is a necessary goal, precisely because it is unattainable. If you don't aim for perfection, you cannot make anything great. And yet true perfection is impossible.”
— Said by the tailor in the final scene of The Outfit
“Strive for excellence, and you’ll succeed. Strive for perfection, and you’ll have a nervous breakdown.”
— Jeff Ruby