EP216: Overcoming Perfectionism: A Contractor’s Guide to Better Business

Identify the root causes of your perfectionism, which often stem from childhood experiences or societal pressures, to begin addressing it effectively.

Understand that your definition of 'perfect' often exceeds client expectations; aim for a 'seven out of ten' quality, which clients typically perceive as excellent, to avoid over-delivering and losing profit.

Lower your quality standards until clients begin to complain, as this will help you identify the true threshold of acceptable quality without incurring unnecessary costs or stress.

Embrace the '80% done is better than none' philosophy: allowing employees to complete most of the work, even if imperfect, is more efficient and frees up your time than doing everything yourself.

Limit 'tweaking' and over-revising: set time caps for reviews and focus on completing tasks rather than endlessly perfecting them, as extra passes often serve only your ego and don't add value.

Reframe mistakes as learning opportunities and data points for improvement, rather than personal failures, to foster a healthier work environment and personal growth.

Prioritize your business's impact and your personal well-being over an impossible image of perfection, recognizing that constant stress and control detract from the quality of life you sought when starting your business.