Why You Can’t Be A Perfectionist And A Solopreneur

If you are miss or mister perfectionist and you’re thinking about pursuing solopreneurship, I’m here to tell you that you can’t be both. If you want to truly thrive in business, right now you have to get out of the perfectionism trap. Perfectionism does you more harm than good in the long run.

Why Perfectionism Is A Solopreneur’s Biggest Enemy

Perfectionism slows you down.

To a perfectionist, nothing is good enough. Perfectionists stress about the tiniest details and because of that, they can’t even get their website done, launch a product or service, or design a simple sales funnel. Remember that done is better than perfect. Don’t start projects that you can’t complete. Aim to achieve the best quality but make sure to get it done.

Solopreneurs juggle multiple roles - and being a perfectionist leads to burnout.

You are running a one-man show. You expect yourself to move at a faster rate than entrepreneurs with big teams so that you don’t miss out on opportunities. But just imagine criticizing everything you do. Eventually, perfectionism becomes overwhelming. Burnout is when you reach a point where you no longer feel motivated and start to lose focus.

Your creativity runs dry.

Perfectionism prevents you from taking risks and being inventive in your business. Happy solopreneurs are successful people. They see the good in a project and are never scared to try something new even if it means receiving criticism from others!

What To Do Instead (5 Tips To Overcome Perfectionism)

Here are better, healthier ways to run your business for long-term success:

1. Look at failure as growth opportunities.

Mistakes aren’t really bad. As humans, we make mistakes. Mistakes help you focus on the present because they teach you what really matters. Think of them as areas for improvement. Previously, I wrote a post about optimism. There, I shared that failure is temporary and that it actually makes you more interesting.

2. Embrace your uniqueness!

You have your own way of planning and running things and so do other business owners. Your uniqueness means that you don’t have to copy what successful entrepreneurs do because you can succeed by using personalized methods. They may not be conventional but they’re special.

3. Stop waiting for the perfect moment.

The perfect moment to take action is now. There is power in the present moment. Ask yourself, “If I did this right now, what’s the worst thing that could happen?” Next, imagine how you would feel if that one thing you kept on procrastinating gets accomplished.

4. Create realistic goals.

Set goals that you can achieve. What does your schedule look like now? What adjustments can you make to get something done? What resources do you currently have? What steps do you need to take? These questions guide you in setting realistic goals. You’re more likely to follow through and stay motivated if your goals are within reach.

5. Don’t expect others to execute at the same level.

This piece of advice goals to all solopreneurs who’ve started growing a team. When you’re a perfectionist, it’s easy to expect that people should do things the way you do. Holding others to a higher standard (your own standard) will result in disappointment. Provide training and see the good in them. Learn the difference between someone who tries to sabotage your business and someone who truly wants to help.