Perfectionism is a writer's curse. The first step in breaking the spell of perfectionism is to recognize that you're under its spell. Once you've recognized that this is your challenge, you can eliminate perfectionism for good.
Start by telling yourself that your writing doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to get done.
Here are five ways to eliminate perfectionism:
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Three: Realize That Creativity Is Messy
The concept of "perfect" cripples you as a writer. Creativity is not clean and clear and perfect, it's messy. Realize that messiness is a good sign that your writing is creative - it may be the best writing you've yet done. Allow your writing to be messy.
Four: Realize That Creativity Involves Anxiety
Unfortunately, creativity involves anxiety because you're using your right brain. Whenever you're using your right brain, researchers have found that you experience some anxiety. That's just the way it is. Your perfectionism is a desire to eliminate your anxiety. In the process, you may kill all the creativity in your work.
Go for a walk, or go to the gym - physical activity will relax you.
Five: Realize That Writing Is A Process, Not A Destination
No matter what high hopes you have for a piece of writing, you soon come to realize that the fun of writing is in the writing - not in anything that comes after it.
Since that's the case, relax and enjoy your writing, in all it's messiness and imperfection.
[from Angela Booth's Writing blog: http://copywriter.typepad.com/copywriter/write_more/index.html]
ENG 1000c -- Composition
2 comments:
I like this post a lot especially because I'm sitting here stressing out about how my paper is going to turn out. I tend to have trouble making research papers seem fun and relaxed. It's like ballet...a good dancer will never let you know how hard s/he's working so I always feel like I write like a poor dancer.
AWWWW That's so nice Katie!!!!! I do think that this made me think alittle bit...I might really decide to go ahead and go to the gym for writing even though i have BEEN PUTTING IT OFF FOR THE LONGEST WHILE...I MIGHT JUST DECIDE TO ACUTALLY DO THAT...PERFECTION SEEMS TO BE WHAT MOST PEOPLE ARE SEARCHING FOR AND IS WHAT IS THE ESSENSE OF ALL IMPERFECTIONS...TO TRY TO BE PERFECT MIGHT SEEM TO BE WHAT IS ACTUALLY GETTING IN THE WAY OF MAKING SOMETHING HAPPEN!NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU MAY TRY THERE IS ALWAYS REVISION...JUST LIKE PLASTIC SURGERY...YOU MIGH GET PLENTY OF BOTOX TO MAKE YOUR FACE VERY SMOOTH BUT YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE TO GO BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN TO MAKE SURE THAT THE WRINKLES STAY PERFECT...SO PLANTY OF TIMES YOU WILL HAVE TO REVISIT IT TO REBOTOX!!!!THATS HOW I SEE I I DUNNO....
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