“I’m such a perfectionist I can’t get anything finished.” I’ve heard those words at least three times in the past week from different people.
Perfectionism is a good habit to cultivate. It means that you are careful about what you do, that you make sure that whatever you undertake is done well. It’s a habit that can save you time, save you money and give you a great reputation. But when taken to extremes, perfectionism can be a curse or even an excuse for not taking the risk to complete a project.
Editing is an important part of any writing project and proofreading is perhaps even more important. Both should be done by experts that you trust. Trust: that’s the keyword here. If you really trust your editor and proofreader, once they have finished their work and you have gone over it with them, it is time to move on to the next step. I have worked with a number of writers over the years who had difficulty with letting go, with accepting that their work was good. After having their book edited or proofed professionally, they find a friend or relative – or two or three – and ask these people to look it over again. Deadlines fall by the wayside as they wallow in a sea of indecision. They begin to change a word here and there; every comma is looked at with suspicion. Should it go there? Should it not? Should it be a semi-colon instead?
If you question these people they will tell you that they want to make sure the book is perfect. But often, perfectionism has become an excuse: they are afraid to take the next step. The real fear is: what if no one likes the book? What if someone laughs at me? Or even, what will I do if the book is actually a success?
Being a perfectionist can be excellent, it can be a curse, or it can be an excuse. Which one is it for you?