Your mantra interest me because it almost forces you to ask the very important question, “So how do we define success?”

And then I realized that for me, the answer had always been that success EQUALLED perfection . . . therefore, it was always impossible for me to succeed. At anything.

These days I’m playing with other possible definitions of success. I’m still trying to find my way, but it’s a lot more pleasant so far.

Anyway, I’ve always had a problem with Procrastifectionism. But I had to lower my standards during college or risk never graduating. It was then I adopted the mantra “Aim for success, not perfection.”

Folks, if you’ve made it this far, do click on the link in Liz’s reply above. Ken says it much more poetically than I did. ;o)

Katana – Thanks for coming by and commenting! Yes, frustrating for sure. The only thing I’d advise is to be gentle with yourself as you change the habit…I’m still learning how long habit changes really take, and it’s too easy to short-circuit the process by getting down on yourself.

it drives me even further away from ‘perfect’- not done things on deadlines are the complete opposite, it’s so frustrating, this habit.

i’m going to change it.

This is a brilliant post! I’m so glad that mine inspired you. I knew you’d take those ideas even farther, and I’d get a few more epiphanies from that – and I was right! The kinetic vs. potential energy analogy is pure genius, and I have a feeling it will be extremely useful to me. Thank you!

Speaking of your blog, it looks like there’s plenty there that resonates with me, too. I’ve just subscribed to it.