I am a reformed type-A personality. Perfection drove everything in my earlier years. Perfectionism is fueled by a belief that everything must turn out exactly as you first imagined it. This assumption drove so many things in my life. I excelled at this belief. But so too as with many other plans, it could also implode my energy. I even became physically paralyzed. It can be exhausting to the body, to the spirit and to the mind to hold everything at such an exacting standard.
Perfectionism and procrastination
With perfectionism you also get a 2-for-1 called procrastination. And that by itself is an inferior combo of some magnitude. If it doesn’t look perfect, I will delay my decisions until it looks perfect. Get it? Well, it doesn’t work that way. Lastly, if procrastination occurs long enough, it leads to paralysis. That is what I experienced at age 21. My procrastination became a decision to fail.
Preparing for and embracing personal change
Let this new year be about making progress in your plan for personal growth and increased awareness. Sometimes just being aware of your thoughts and activity levels leads to change. Even if you don’t want to change, consider being willing to be willing to change. For those who are, look at what you want to do and then take baby steps toward that new and more positive direction. If you are want to reform your type-A personality, or know someone who could benefit immensely from this change, tell them and yourself this:
Perfectionism leads to procrastination.
Procrastination leads to paralysis.
Paralysis stops all progress.
Be like me. Become a reformed type-A personality. It’s a choice, not a life sentence.
