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The Ball and Chain of Perfection
How Perfection Weighs You Down and Holds Your Writing Career Back
I once went to a women’s group where we were asked to bring something from our past to share with the group. It was an ice-breaker and a chance for us to get to know each other better.
For some reason, I brought my Girl Scout sash. Each of us shared our item and when it was my turn I talked about how much I had loved being a Girl Scout. As the group looked at my sash adorned with a multitude of colorful badges, one woman said, “Wow. You were an overachiever!”
That was an “aha” moment for me.
I had never thought of myself as an overachiever, but as soon as she said it I knew it was the truth.
Later, I looked at that truth. What was it about me that felt compelled to achieve?
As I searched more deeply, I realized that I was trying to impress my parents. I strove to be a perfect child thinking that if I did enough and did it well enough, I would someday earn their love and approval.
That day never came, but the habit of perfectionism stayed with me for many more years until another “aha” moment arrived.
I was a belly dancer and beaded my very first belly dance costume which consisted of a bedazzled bra and hip belt to be worn with harem pants and a…