You know that feeling, right? That constant urge to tweak, polish, and refine your work until it’s absolutely flawless?

Yeah…it’s something all of us freelancers and solopreneurs struggle with.

While striving for high quality work is obviously important, perfectionism can actually be a major productivity and mood killer!

When you’re caught up in making every little detail perfect, it can lead to procrastination, missed deadlines, and a whole lot of stress.

It’s like instead of moving forward and getting sh*t done, you find yourself stuck in a cycle of endless revisions and second-guessing. There’s been way too many time where I’ve found myself an hour or two into changing details that don’t actually matter at the end of the day.

Sound familiar?

“In order to go on living, one must try to escape the death involved in perfectionism.” – Hannah Arendt

Well, you’re not alone. I know I’ve experienced debilitating perfectionism – especially at the beginning of my freelancing career – and I know many other self-employed peeps who have, too.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t overcome it (I have!).

In this blog, we’re going to explore 7 tricks to overcome perfectionism as a freelancer which inevitably will help you boost your productivity, too. From using a timer to setting deadlines and practicing self-compassion, these tips will help you strike that right balance between quality and efficiency.

So let’s start making some progress (and not perfection!). (Okay…not my best pun.)

Oh, and by the way, I created a FREE GUIDE for you so you can save all of these tricks for later when you need them most! Simply click that button below, enter your name and email, then check your inbox to download it right away!

 

THE PRODUCTIVITY COST OF PERFECTIONISM

Alright, let’s get real about something here: perfectionism is a total productivity killer.

You might think that aiming for perfection makes you a top-notch freelancer. But the truth is, it often does more harm than good. Here’s 3 big reasons why:

1. Leads to procrastination
2. Leads to burnout
3. Increases the fear of failure

First off, perfectionism can lead to some serious procrastination. When we’re fixated on making everything flawless, it becomes easy to delay starting or finishing tasks because nothing ever feels good enough.

You end up spending hours (or even days) on minor details that don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. This means deadlines get missed, projects pile up, and suddenly you’re drowning in uncompleted work.

Then there’s the burnout factor. Constantly striving for perfection is exhausting. We’ve felt it.

It can drain your energy and leave you feeling overwhelmed and stressed out. Instead of enjoying the creative process, you’re stuck in a loop of worry and self-criticism.

Over time, this can lead to serious burnout, where you’re too mentally and physically drained to get anything done.

“But I’m learning that perfection isn’t what matters. In fact, it’s the very thing that can destroy you if you let it in.” – Emily Griffin

And let’s not forget the fear of failure. Perfectionism can make you so afraid of making mistakes that you avoid taking risks or trying new things.

This stifles your growth and keeps you from reaching your full potential. Instead of learning and improving, you play it safe and miss out on opportunities to innovate and excel.

In fact, research backs this up. A few studies published in the Journal of Counseling Psychology found that perfectionism is significantly correlated with higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. These studies highlight how the constant pressure to be perfect can negatively impact both mental health and productivity.

So it’s clear: while perfectionism might seem like a good thing on the surface, it’s actually a major barrier to your success.

Recognizing this is the first steps towards actually overcoming it!

Once you understand how perfectionism is holding you back, you can start making real changes to work smarter, not harder.

Now let’s move on to some practical tricks that’ll help you kick perfectionism to the curb! But before we do, don’t forget to save this info for later when you need a reminder! Just click that button below, enter your info, then check your email to download the FREE GUIDE now!

 

TRICK #1: USE A TIMER

Let’s jump straight into our first trick: using a timer. It might sound simple, but trust me! It’s a game-changer.

Have you ever heard of the Pomodoro Technique? It’s all about working in focused bursts – usually 25 minutes long – followed by a short break – typically 5 minutes.

This method can seriously help you get more done without getting bogged down by perfectionism. Here’s how it works:

Set a timer for 25 minutes. I personally love to use my cube timers so I don’t have to rely on my phone or computer and can eliminate distractions.

Once you set your timer, dive right into the task. During this time, focus solely on your work – no distractions allowed!!

When the timer goes off, take a 5-minute break. Stretch, grab a coffee, do whatever you need to do to recharge. Pro tip: stay off your screens cuz that keeps your brain stimulated.

Then set another timer for 25 minutes and get back to it. After 4 of these sessions, take a longer break – maybe 15-30 minutes.

Now why does the Pomodoro Technique help?

Well, setting a timer creates a sense of urgency. You know you only have 25 minutes to make progress, so you’re less likely to get stuck in the perfectionism trap. Instead of obsessing over every little detail, you focus on getting the job at hand done within the time limit.

Plus, these regular breaks help prevent burnout. Working non-stop can drain your energy and make you more prone to perfectionism tendencies. By breaking your workday into chunks, you can stay fresh and keep your productivity levels high.

Give it a try and see how it feels! Start with the classic 25-minute Pomodoro sessions, but feel free to adjust the timing to what works best for you. I’ll sometimes switch it up so I do 45 minutes of work followed by a 15-minute break, or 30 minutes on and 10 minutes off.

The key is to find your sweet spot and get into a rhythm that keeps you moving forward without getting stuck in the pursuit of perfection.

TRICK #2: REALIZE IT’S GOOD ENOUGH

Embracing the idea that your work is truly “good enough” was a super tough pill for me to swallow at first. But I’ve learned that realizing it’s “good enough” is really essential for staying productive AND sane!

The concept here is to aim for a Minimum Viable Product (known as an MVP). This is the version of your work that meets all the necessary criteria and gets the job done, even if it’s not perfect.

Think about it this way: your client or audience probably won’t notice the tiny flaws you’re stressing over. They’re looking for value, solutions, or results – not perfection.

So, set realistic standards for different types of tasks. For instance, a blog post like this might need to be polished and error-free, but it doesn’t need to be a literary masterpiece.

A great strategy to help you realize when something is good enough is to set specific criteria for completion before you start.

Ask yourself, “What are the must-have elements for this task?”

“Perfect is good, but done is better.” – Jane Hamill

Once you’ve met those criteria, consider the task done. This way you’re not endlessly tweaking and refining something that’s already perfectly functional.

Let’s say your perfectionism took over and you find yourself working past the criteria. Then ask yourself, “Does making more edits change the outcome for the client?” If the answer is no, move on.

And usually the answer is no.

Remember: done is better than perfect. Delivering good work consistently is more valuable than delivery perfect work occasionally.

By learning to let go a little and recognizing when something is good enough, you free up time and mental energy for other important tasks.

Give yourself permission to stop when your work is at a high standard, but not necessarily flawless. It’s about finding that balance.

Over time, you’ll get better at recognizing when you’ve reached the point of diminishing returns – where additional efforts doesn’t significantly improve the outcome.

So the next time you’re tempted so spend hours perfecting that last 1%, remind yourself that good enough truly is good enough. Your future self (and your stress levels) will thank you!

And remember that you can download the FREE GUIDE to save these tips for when you need them most! All you gotta do is click that button below, add your information, then check your email inbox!

 

TRICK #3: SET CLEAR GOALS & DEADLINES

Have you ever noticed that projects without clear goals and deadlines tend to drag on forever? That’s cuz it’s easy to get lost in the details and lose sight of the big picture.

Which is where setting SMART goals comes in. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

When you know exactly what you need to achieve and by when, it’s a lot harder to get caught up in perfectionism.

Start by breaking your projects into smaller, manageable tasks. Instead of having a vague goal like “finish the website,” break it down into clear steps like “design the homepage,” “write the About Me section,” and “test the contact form.”

Each of these smaller tasks should have their own deadline, which makes the whole project feel a lot less overwhelming.

Now why do SMART goals help you overcome perfectionism?

Well, clear deadlines create a sense of urgency and accountability. When you have a specific date to work towards, you’re more likely to prioritize and focus on completing the task rather than getting bogged down in minor details.

Plus, deadlines encourage you to manage your time better so you ensure that you’re making steady progress instead of falling into the perfectionism trap of endless revisions.

“Perfectionism is a delusion that can rob one of a very successful, enriching life if not careful.” – April Bryan

One tip for setting effective deadlines is to be realistic about how long tasks will take.

It’s better to give yourself a little bit of extra time and finish early than to rush and stress cuz you underestimated the effort required.

And don’t forget to account for breaks and downtime! Working nonstop is simply unsustainable.

Another helpful strategy is to share your goals and deadlines with someone else – like your client, a fellow freelancer, or an accountability buddy. Having someone else know your timeline adds an extra layer of accountability and motivation to stay on track.

Remember, the goal is to keep moving forward. Clear goals and deadlines help you focus on progress, not perfection.

So map out your tasks, set those deadlines, and watch your productivity soar!

TRICK #4: FOCUS ON PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION

Let’s talk about a mindset shift that’s oh so crucial for overcoming perfectionism: focusing on progress, not perfection.

You’ve probably heard of this before and, true, it may sound simple. But it can make a world of difference in how you approach your work! Here’s why:

Perfectionism often tricks us into thinking that if our work isn’t flawless, it’s not worth doing at all. But here’s the truth: progress is what really matters.

Every step forward, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, brings you closer to your goals.

So instead of fixating on making everything perfect, aim to make consistent progress.

Once way to embrace this mindset is to track your daily accomplishments – no matter how minor they seem!

Keep a journal or digital log of what you achieve each day. Did you draft a difficult email? Did you make headway on a project? Write it down.

Literally seeing your progress in black and white can be incredibly motivating and can help you recognize that you’re moving forward, even if everything isn’t perfect.

“Perfectionism is a roadblock to progress.” – Unknown

Another strategy is to break your work into smaller, manageable chunks (like I talked about above in trick #3).

When you focus on completing these smaller tasks, it’s easier to see and appreciate your progress. Plus, knocking off smaller tasks gives you a sense of accomplishment which fuels your motivation to keep going even more.

Just remember that incremental progress is still progress! Think of it like climbing a mountain. Each step might not seem like much on its own, but when you look back, you’ll be amazed at how far you’ve come.

So celebrate those small wins along the way – they add up to big results.

Finally, it’s also really essential to set realistic expectations for yourself. Understand that perfection is an impossible standard. Everyone makes mistakes and has off days!

What matters is that you’re making an effort to move forward. Focus on the journey, not the destination, and remember that perfection isn’t the goal. Progress over perfection – always.

By the way, don’t forget that you can download the FREE GUIDE! Simply click that button below, add your info, then check your email!

 

TRICK #5: LIMIT REVISIONS

Okay, now let’s tackle the tricky subject of making revisions.

If you’re a perfectionist, you probably find yourself revising your work over and over again. While making sure your work is polished is, of course, important, endless revisions can be a huge time sink and prevent you from finishing projects.

That’s why it’s necessary to limit the number of revisions you allow yourself. Here’s what you can do:

First, set a cap on how many times you’ll revise your work. For example, give yourself a maximum of 3 rounds of revisions.

This forces you to focus on the most important changes and prevents you from getting stuck in a loop of tweaking minor details that don’t significantly improve the final product.

Next, be strategic about your revisions. Make a list of the key areas that need improvement and tackle those first. Prioritize changes that will have the biggest impact on the quality and effectiveness of your work.

Then, once you’ve addressed these critical issues, stop! Trust that your work is good enough and move on.

“Perfectionism doesn’t make you feel perfect; it makes you feel inadequate.” – Maria Shriver

Another effective approach is to do trick #1: use a timer and set a specific time limit for each round of revisions. For instance, allocate 30 minutes per revision round. This helps you stay focused and efficient, rather than spending countless hours refining the same section over and over again.

You’ll be surprised at how much you can accomplish when you’re working within a set timeframe!

It’s also helpful to get a second pair of eyes on your work. Sometimes, we’re our own worst critic, and having someone else review your work can provide valuable perfective. But I’m going to dive more into this in the next section!

And lastly, remember that perfection is subjective. What seems imperfect to you might be perfectly acceptable to someone else. Your audience or client is likley looking for value, clarity, and results – not flawless execution.

Once your work meets the required standards and effectively communicates your message, it’s time to let go.

So, set those revision limits, be strategic, and trust in your abilities. By capping the number of revisions, you’ll save time, reduce stress, and boost your productivity.

Remember, your work doesn’t have to be perfect – it just has to be good enough to get the job done.

TRICK #6: SEEK FEEDBACK EARLY & OFTEN

You know when you’re working on a project how you can get lost in your head and lose perspective? I think this is something all of us perfectionists do!

Well, that’s where getting feedback comes in. Seeking feedback early and often is honestly a game-changer. Here’s how to effectively do it:

First off, don’t wait until you think your work is perfect before showing it to someone else. By that point, you’ve probably spent way too much time refining details that might not even matter.

Instead, share your work at an earlier stage. This helps you get fresh eyes on your project and can save you tons of time in the long run.

For example, if you’re writing a report, share your outline or first draft with your client. Or if you’re designing a website, show your initial mockups to a fellow designer.

Early feedback can point out issues you might have missed and give you new ideas to improve your work. Plus, it helps you avoid going too far down a rabbit hole that might not even be effective.

“Our strength lies not in expecting ourselves to be perfect but in understanding that our greatest strength is our ability to learn.” – Dr. Kathryn Ford

Regular check-ins for feedback can also keep you on track. Schedule periodic reviews throughout your project to keep a line of communication open and make room for continuous improvement.

When seeking feedback, be clear about what you need. Ask specific questions to get targeted input. For instance, instead of asking, “What do you think?” try asking, “Do you think the main points in this section are clear?” or “Does this design meet the project’s goals?”

This way you get actionable feedback that you can use to make precise improvements.

I gotta also say that you gotta be open to constructive criticism.

It’s natural to feel a bit defensive about your work, especially if you’ve put a lot of effort into it. But remember, feedback is not a critique of you personally – it’s about making your work better.

Embrace the input, and use it to refine and improve your project.

Lastly, consider having a go-to group of trusted colleagues (like other freelancers), mentors, or peers who can provide reliable feedback. These are people whose opinions you respect and who understand your work and goals. Their insights can be invaluable and help you see your work from different angles.

Do, don’t go at it alone. Seek feedback early, ask for it often, and use it to your advantage. You’ll find that it not only helps you create better work but also saves you time and reduces the pressure to be perfect.

Friendly reminder to download your FREE GUIDE! Just click that button below, add your info, then check your email inbox!

 

TRICK #7: PRACTICE SELF-COMPASSION

Alrighty, let’s wrap things up with a trick that’s all about being kind to yourself: practicing self-compassion.

This one might feel a bit touchy-feely, but it’s incredibly important! Let me explain.

First, understand that it’s okay to make mistakes. Seriously, everyone does. It’s part of being human.

When you mess up or your work isn’t as perfect as you’d like, instead of beating yourself up, try to treat yourself the way you would a child or grandparent.

You wouldn’t tell a kid that they’re a failure for making a mistake, right?

You’d probably offer some kind words and encouragement. Well, do the same for yourself.

A great way to start practicing some self-compassion is to recognize and challenge your inner critic. You know that voice in your head that says your work isn’t good enough or that your work isn’t perfect? That’s the inner critic – and it isn’t helping.

I often call this voice the “storyteller” cuz that’s all this voice does – tell stories, not the truth.

When you catch yourself thinking like that, pause and reframe those thoughts. Remind yourself that you’re doing your best and that’s all that really matters.

“Where perfectionism is driving, your shame is riding shotgun.” – Brené Brown

Another helpful tip is to take breaks and give yourself time to recharge. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and forget that rest is crucial for maintaining your creativity and productivity.

Allow yourself some downtime without feeling guilty. Whether it’s taking a walk, reading a book, or just chilling, give yourself permission to relax.

Also, celebrate your wins, no matter how small. If you’ve read my blogs before you know that I mention this all of the time! Cuz it’s so essential!

So did you finish that draft? High five! Managed to meet a deadline? Awesome! Get a scoop of ice cream or something.

Taking time to acknowledge and celebrate your successes can boost your morale and remind you of how far you’ve come.

Remember, self-compassion isn’t about lowering your standards or not caring about your work. It’s about recognizing that you’re human and that striving for perfection is more harmful than helpful.

It’s okay to aim high, but it’s also okay to cut yourself some slack when things don’t go exactly as planned.

So be kind to yourself. Practice self-compassion and remember that you’re doing great. By taking care of your mental and emotional well-being, you’ll find it easier to stay productive and enjoy the work you do.

Also, here’s your final friendly reminder to download the FREE GUIDE so you can save these tips for later! All you gotta do is click that button below, enter your name and email, then check your inbox!

 

CONCLUSION

And there you have it – 7 practical tricks to help you overcome perfectionism as a freelancer!

From using a timer to practicing self-compassion, these strategies have truly changed the game for me personally. These tricks are designed to help you stay productive, reduce stress, and create high-quality work without getting stuck in the perfectionism trap.

Don’t forget that perfectionism is more than just a drive to do well – it’s a productivity killer that can lead to procrastination, burnout, and missed opportunities.

By setting clear goals, limiting revisions, and seeking feedback, you can maintain a healthy balance between striving for excellence and getting things done.

And remember the importance of progress over perfection and being kind to yourself along the way!

Every step you take towards managing perfectionism is a step toward a more balanced, productive, and fulfilling freelancing career. So, give these tricks a try and see what works best for you.

You’ve got the skills, talent, and drive. Now it’s time to let go of perfectionism so you can truly shine.