My honest advice to a perfectionist

Summary

In this episode, Ali, a former doctor turned entrepreneur, discusses overcoming perfectionism, particularly in content creation. He shares his personal struggles and insights, offering practical advice to Andy, who is dealing with overthinking and perfectionism in growing his YouTube channel. Ali emphasizes the importance of creating for the joy of helping others, not just for personal satisfaction.

Takeaways

• 🎥 Ali, a doctor turned entrepreneur, has been making YouTube videos for 7 years, overcoming perfectionism along the way.
• 📚 Ali recently wrote a book called 'Feelgood Productivity', which also required overcoming perfectionistic tendencies.
• 🤔 Andy, a busy individual with a full-time job and two kids, is seeking advice on overcoming perfectionism in creating YouTube content.
• 🔄 Ali shares his own struggles with perfectionism, including the 'voice of the saboteur' that tries to stop creative endeavors.
• 🌱 The 'voice of the saboteur' often suggests over-preparation and overthinking, which can hinder starting a project.
• 📈 Ali suggests changing the context or format of the task to see if perfectionism still applies, as a way to combat it.
• 🤓 He recommends asking if the work has the potential to help at least one person as a measure of its value, rather than striving for universal acclaim.
• 🎨 Ali emphasizes the importance of enjoying the creative process, as it can lead to better work and less stress.
• 🔄 He suggests that creators should focus on the potential impact on others rather than on their own ego or fear of judgment.
• 📝 The transcript highlights the idea of 'reasonable' quality as a goal, rather than perfection, to reduce the pressure of creating content.
• 💬 Ali invites viewers to share their struggles in the comments, showing an openness to connect and provide further advice.

Q & A

What is Ali's background and how does it relate to the topic of perfectionism?

Ali is a former doctor turned entrepreneur who has been making YouTube videos for 7 years and has also published a book called 'Feelgood Productivity'. His experiences with overcoming perfectionistic tendencies in these endeavors make him well-equipped to discuss and offer advice on dealing with perfectionism.

What is the main issue that Andy is facing with his YouTube channel?

Andy struggles with overthinking and perfectionism when creating content for his YouTube channel. He worries about whether his content is good enough and fears that it might not be valuable to his audience, which leads to delays in posting videos.

What is the term Ali uses to describe the internal voice that tries to sabotage creative efforts?

Ali refers to this internal voice as 'the voice of the saboteur', which is a mental barrier that tries to prevent action by promoting overthinking and self-doubt.

How does Ali suggest changing the context or format of a task to combat perfectionism?

Ali suggests that changing the context or format of a task can alter one's perception of perfectionism. By asking how perfectionism would manifest if the task were approached differently, one might realize that the perfectionistic standards do not hold up in a different setting.

What is the concept of 'done is better than perfect' and how does it apply to Andy's situation?

'Done is better than perfect' is a concept that encourages action over endless perfectionism. It applies to Andy's situation by suggesting that he should post his videos even if they are not perfect, as the act of creating and sharing is more important than striving for unattainable perfection.

What is the significance of the phrase 'what would it look like if it were fun' in Ali's approach to dealing with perfectionism?

The phrase 'what would it look like if it were fun' is a reflection prompt that Ali uses to shift the focus from the pressure of perfection to the enjoyment of the creative process. It helps to reframe the task at hand into something enjoyable rather than a source of stress.

How does Ali define the 'bar' for quality in the context of overcoming perfectionism?

Ali defines the 'bar' for quality as whether the work has the potential to help at least one person. This lower bar is more achievable than striving for perfection and allows creators to share their work without the fear of it not being good enough.

What advice does Ali give about the relationship between enjoyment and productivity in creative work?

Ali suggests that enjoying the creative process leads to better work, more creativity, less stress, and increased productivity. He emphasizes that focusing on enjoyment can improve the quality of work more than trying to optimize for perfection.

How does Ali handle the voice of the saboteur when it tries to prevent him from starting a video?

Ali acknowledges the voice of the saboteur but tells it that he will record the video anyway, with the understanding that he doesn't have to publish it if it doesn't meet his standards. This approach allows him to overcome the initial resistance to starting.

What is the strategy of writing down what the voice of the saboteur is saying, and how can it help with perfectionism?

Writing down the voice of the saboteur's messages can help externalize and scrutinize the perfectionistic thoughts. It allows for a more objective assessment of whether these thoughts are reasonable or simply barriers to action.

What advice does Ali offer for dealing with the fear of what others might think when sharing creative work?

Ali advises shifting the focus from oneself to the potential audience, considering the act of sharing creative work as a service to others. This mindset can reduce the fear of judgment and the pressure of meeting arbitrary personal standards.

How does Ali suggest using the concept of 'reasonable' to manage expectations while creating?

Ali suggests telling oneself that the current work just needs to be 'reasonable' and that the next one will be good. This approach helps to lower the bar for the current task, reducing perfectionism and allowing for more fluid creation.