Listener Fave: Perfectionism's Upsides and Downsides

If you're like me, maybe you've told yourself that being a perfectionist is a bit of a badge of honor.

Detail-oriented, high standards, won't put your name on anything that's not right.

But what if perfectionism wasn't a superpower? What if it's the reason that you're being held back? What if it's the reason why your website still isn't live after nine months? Or your inquiry response takes 30 minutes and five different drafts to write? Or you've been almost ready to raise your prices for six months? This episode is one of my favorites that we've ever done.

And we're bringing it back because summer is exactly the time when perfectionism tends to play out.

We're busier than ever.

We have less room for mistakes.

We have more reasons to delay the thing that we know that we should do.

Katie and I are both perfectionists, different kinds it turns out, but both perfectionists.

And in this episode, we get honest about what it really looks like to be a business owner and to be in a marriage when you are, including how each type quietly sabotages your growth in ways that you might not even recognize yet.

If you've ever delayed a decision because the timing wasn't perfect, or you finished something only to immediately wonder if it was good enough, This one's directed at you.

You're going to walk away with language for what's really going on when you stall, overthink, or avoid something, and you're going to get a clearer picture of where your particular brand of perfectionism is costing you the most.

Summer is short.

Don't spend it stuck.

Hi, I'm Sam and I'm a perfectionist.

I used to think I wasn't a perfectionist.

After all, I tend not to focus too much on the details and I often leave projects undone, let alone done perfectly.

Then my therapist called BS on that.

And because she is not only a licensed expert, but also somebody who knows me better than pretty much anybody else.

Well, I thought it was a good idea to listen to what she had to say.

Once I became aware of my version of perfectionism, which is one of the five kinds, more on that to come, I saw my tendencies for perfectionism everywhere.

Then this year, I read a book that rocked my world, The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control by Katherine Morgan Scheffler.

Two things.

First, listening on my conversation with Katie, a fellow perfectionist, but with different tendencies.

Second, if you feel like you too might be a perfectionist, please read this book.

It'll make you feel seen in powerful ways.

And importantly, it's going to give you the courage to adapt your version of perfectionism in healthy ways.

Own Your Business is a podcast for event professionals who want to grow with proven approaches.

I'm Sam Jacobson, a sales, pricing, and copywriting expert in the wedding industry.

Throughout my career, I've booked hundreds of events for millions in revenue.

I've also led teams in premium and luxury markets.

Now I coach people like you with my company, ID Action Consulting.