Perfectionism
is a sticky wicket. On one hand, upholding strict standards of excellence helps many people succeed in life
and work. On the other, that samestriving for perfection can spin into a
paralyzing trap that halts projects, generates undue
stress for yourself and others, and zaps the joy out of life. Perfectionists
feel compelled to do everything at the same level of excellence, often driven
by a “If I can’t do this perfectly, I’m not going to do it at all” mentality.
Instead
of giving up your perfectionist ways completely, try learning to apply
“selective perfectionism.” Learn the art of deciding which tasks need to be
perfect and which ones can just be....
Do you control “nibblers” or do “nibblers” nab you?
Nibblers are distractions that sabotage your plans, gnaw at
your ability to concentrate, and steal hours every day. There are “internal”
nibblers, personal dispositions or behavior tendencies such as perfectionism
and procrastination, which prevent you from completing your plans. There are
also “external” nibblers, interruptions like meetings, calls, e-mails or
drop-by visits that can easily derail your day.
Take a close look at these common nibblers. Which ones most
frequently derail your best-laid plans?...
