Learning How To Overcome Perfection: 5 Actionable Tips for Creatives and Artists

I recently realized something about myself: I am a terrible multi-tasker, and I’ve decided to stop trying to do it. But that’s not the only realization I’ve had. I’ve also come to terms with another part of my personality: I’m a recovering perfectionist.

Being a perfectionist fit comfortably into my Type-A, detail-oriented personality. It came naturally. In many ways, it served me well. It motivated me to work hard and demand a high standard for everything I did, no matter how big or small the task. My basic philosophy was, "If you’re going to do something half-assed, don’t bother doing it at all."

But recently, as I’ve set my sights on bigger, more ambitious goals for my life, I’ve started to rethink how important "perfect" really is—especially when striving for perfection prevents me from taking the first critical steps toward accomplishing those goals. Holding out for perfect can be suffocating. It’s paralyzing to feel like I’ll never finish something because I can’t even be satisfied with how it gets started. The result? Progress stalls, and frustration takes over.

As a creative person, this mindset is especially dangerous. Many of the projects I take on—whether it’s an essay, a graphic design project, a page layout, or a web project—are measured by my own subjective sense of perfection. There’s always room for improvement, enhancement, or tweaking. At some point, though, you have to say, "It’s finished," and, more importantly, be okay with that. Otherwise, you’ll never move on to the next project, and you’ll miss out on the joy of creating something new.

Letting go of perfection doesn’t mean lowering my standards. I still value high-quality work and will continue to demand that of myself. But I’ve learned that perfection doesn’t define success. What matters most to me now is knowing that I’ve done the best I could in that moment with the tools, knowledge, and resources I had. For me, perfection is no longer a label or a sentence. It’s just a word.

This shift in mindset has been incredibly freeing. It’s allowed me to pursue my passions in new ways, to focus on progress instead of perfection, and to embrace the beauty of imperfection. Here are five actionable tips that have helped me overcome perfectionism and might help you too:

1. Focus on Starting, Not Finishing

When perfectionism makes it hard to start a project, shift your focus. Instead of worrying about how the final product will turn out, just focus on taking the first step. Remind yourself that you can always refine and improve later, but nothing can be perfected until it exists.

2. Set Realistic Expectations

Be honest about what’s achievable within the time, resources, and energy you have. Perfectionism often sets unrealistic expectations that are impossible to meet. Instead, aim for "good enough" and recognize the value of progress over perfection.

3. Embrace Feedback and Collaboration

Sharing your work with others can be daunting, but feedback is invaluable. It helps you see things from a new perspective and reminds you that no one expects perfection. Collaboration can also take some of the pressure off, as it shifts the focus from "my perfect work" to "our shared creation."

4. Celebrate Small Wins

Perfectionism often keeps you so focused on what’s wrong that you forget to celebrate what’s right. Acknowledge and appreciate small milestones along the way. Every step forward, no matter how small, is worth celebrating.

5. Practice Self-Compassion

Be kind to yourself. Understand that mistakes and imperfections are part of being human. When you’re tempted to criticize yourself, try talking to yourself the way you would a close friend. Give yourself grace and room to grow.