Perfectionism in Art, Business, and Life: How to Break Free

Perfectionism is often praised as a virtue, but for many of us—especially creative business owners—it becomes a paralyzing force, keeping us stuck in cycles of anxiety, self-doubt, and overthinking. In this week’s Motivation Monday, I explore how perfectionism is rooted in self-worth and share strategies for overcoming it. Let's dive in.

Understanding the Root of Perfectionism

At its core, perfectionism is not about striving for excellence. Instead, it stems from a fear of inadequacy. We tell ourselves that if something isn’t perfect, we’re not good enough. This manifests in various areas of life:

• Art: Fear that your work isn’t “good enough” to share.
• Business: Delaying launches or projects until everything feels flawless.
• Life: Pressure to maintain an ideal appearance, lifestyle, or home.

This mindset leads to frustration and keeps us stuck in a perpetual cycle of fear and avoidance. We tell ourselves lies about our worth, constantly seeking validation from the outside world. However, the truth is that self-worth must come from within.

Perfectionism Is an Illusion

Perfection doesn’t exist. If you asked a thousand people to define “perfect,” each would give a different answer. Yet, many of us hold ourselves to this unattainable standard, creating anxiety and limiting our growth.
Consider this: What if you didn’t need to reach perfection to move forward? What if done really is better than perfect?

Breaking Free from Perfectionism

Here’s how you can start to shift out of perfectionism and into progress:

1. Focus on Imperfect Action

Waiting for perfection will keep you from achieving your goals. Instead, aim to complete projects at 70%. Done is better than perfect. Once you’ve taken action, you can use feedback to improve and refine your work.

2. Recognize Your Patterns

Perfectionism often stems from unconscious patterns of overthinking and self-doubt. For example, I recently launched a series of monthly activation classes for my business. After one class, I realized they were too much for me to sustain. Instead of seeing this as a failure, I recognized it as a learning opportunity and adjusted my plans.

3. Cultivate Self-Love

Many of us have internalized harsh self-judgment. We wouldn’t criticize our loved ones the way we criticize ourselves. Shifting this pattern requires conscious effort. Start by telling yourself daily affirmations like “I am worthy” or “All is well.”

4. Be Intentional on Social Media

Social media is a breeding ground for comparison. If scrolling leaves you feeling anxious or inadequate, it’s time to change your approach. Instead of passively scrolling, be intentional:

• Visit specific pages you want to support.
• Limit your time on the platform.
• Avoid content that triggers self-judgment.

5. Stay True to Yourself

Many of us follow blanket advice on what success should look like, often forcing ourselves to do things that don’t align with who we are. For example, if live video isn’t your strength, find other ways to connect with your audience. Your business should reflect your authentic self, not a curated, unrealistic version of success.

What If You Could Be Joyful Now?

So often, we tie our happiness to future achievements: When I reach this milestone, then I’ll be happy. But what if you could choose joy, peace, and abundance right now? You are already worthy of love and success—it's time to stop clinging to perfectionism and embrace your true self.

Join Me on Your Limitless Life

This week’s Your Limitless Life podcast episode is all about perfectionism and self-love. Tune in on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify to hear more about how you can begin shifting your mindset and freeing yourself from perfectionism.

Want more tips and tricks for you and your creative business? Join me in my FREE Facebook Group, the Limitless Creators Hub.

Let’s break the cycle together.

xoxo, 

Jane