Start Now to Finish 2021 Strong. It Doesn’t Need to be Perfect, So Don’t Procrastinate.

For the past few weeks, Erika and I have been writing about “Balance”; however, this week we wanted to talk about the fact that we are already coming toward the end of September, and before we know it the holidays will be upon us and the year will be over.  We wanted to continue that theme of balance but also bring in the topics of perfection and procrastination. 

Perfection and procrastination are on the very same spectrum.  So many of us have this need to be perfectionists.  I’m guilty of this, and when I spoke with Erika, she said that she is too. 

What happens is that we are so focused on being perfect, that we get paralyzed by the perfection, so we don’t do what we set out to do until the last minute.  This is how we get procrastination.

To maintain that balance and alleviate the stress at the end of the year, we wanted to talk this week about how to finish the year strong, recognize that we don’t need to be perfect, and avoid procrastination.

How do you want to end the year?

Personally, I never want to wish time away.  I love to make the most of every moment, but I do believe in planning, and I want to finish 2021 strong.  I also want to start 2022 with a fresh perspective and have my goals and strategies set up.  That’s the professional coach in me.

The holidays will be here before we know it and it is certainly the time of year that can throw us out of balance.  So, we say, start planning now.

Why plan now?

There are several reasons why you would start planning for the holiday season and the end of the year now.

1. To keep your life in balance.  One suggestion is to make a list of all the gifts you need to buy and start shopping now.
2. To keep stress away.  The end of the year can be a very busy time due to work and family obligations.  If you start thinking about that now, you can prepare your calendar and determine which commitments you can keep and which you cannot keep.
3. To enjoy the time of year.  By getting a jump on the end of the year now, you will be able to enjoy the time with your friends and family.

Being Perfect

Why do we feel that we need to be perfect?  I ponder this a lot because I’ve taken several personality tests and a test to figure out one’s saboteurs, and everything that comes up for me is perfection and people pleasing.  While this can be a good thing, it also has its drawbacks.  When the bad side of perfection comes out, we can easily slide into procrastination.

I think we are afraid that people will judge us if we don’t have the perfect holiday decorations or set the perfect dinner table for Thanksgiving. We worry that we may buy the wrong presents for our friends or loved ones.

Avoid stress, stay in balance, don’t worry about being perfect, just enjoy the time you have with your friends and family.  By planning ahead and focusing on your happiness, you can enjoy the magic that is the Fall and end of the year.

I would like to pass things over to my blog partner and friend, Erika Del Sordo to share her thoughts on perfection and procrastination.

Erika’s Thoughts on Perfection and Procrastination

First of all, Meredith, I couldn’t have said any of this better myself! Perfectionism and procrastination REALLY DO go hand in hand.

Hi, I’m Erika and I’m a perfectionist.

Being a perfectionist is both a blessing AND a curse. It can be very debilitating. I feel like I have to have everything perfect ALL the time. I can’t leave the house unless it’s in pristine condition. Every project I begin has to be executed PERFECTLY. That’s not a bad thing, right? At least I don’t settle for shoddy work. But there in lies the problem…

It’s completely okay to leave other things alone until you complete the current task that needs your attention. It’s okay that the glass in the sink sits there while you write up a contract or record voice work.

As long as everything gets completed in its own time, then all is well in the world.

I do have a motto that I share with whomever started the phrase, “Never put off what you can do today.” The thing is, don’t kill yourself trying to fit EVERYTHING into your already packed day! That’s where prioritizing comes into play. Know what really needs to get done today, then leave everything else for tomorrow. Or the next day.

Like I said earlier, Meredith went in depth explaining this topic. If you have any questions or need her guidance, please contact Meredith Kimmel Coaching. Getting the help and assistance you need from the proper people, like Meredith, makes it a double win for you!

If you would like to take the saboteur assessment reference above, here is the link: https://assessment.positiveintelligence.com/saboteur/overview.  (We are not affiliated with this product in any way.)