I’ve created this free cutting file for you to use with your favorite craft cutter! Well, that’s not entirely true. I created this file for me, too.
PERFECTIONISM IS THE PROBLEM!
Do you consider yourself a perfectionist? I know I do. I’m far from perfect yet, I obsess over it. I’m learning every day to let things go–to look at something and say, “That’s good enough.” Do you know I’ve had this blog for almost three years now? And did you know it sat for almost two years without a single post? That’s right, a single post. And because very few people even know that I have a blog, there’s no way you could know that this is my FIFTH SIXTH blog “redesign.” And since I drafted this post, I’ve even undergone a name change and unpublished all of my previous posts!! YIKES! I need help!
I’ve loved reading blogs for years before I actually had one. Since I “started” this blog, I’ve now visited those favorite blogs and compared mine to theirs. I was always sure mine would never match up to theirs.
We do that a lot, don’t we? We compare “ours” to “theirs.” As the old saying goes, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Comparison steals a lot from you. It steals your joy, your gratitude, and your contentment. Comparison makes you look at your less-than-perfect-life and be envious of those around you who seem to have it all.
PERFECTIONISM IS A SHAM
I’m a tweaker–but, not that kind of tweaker–geesh. I have tweaked and picked at this blog design for a full two years now waiting for it to be perfect before I could share it with the world. Every time I found something wrong with the blog, it would take another day of me tweaking in an attempt to be perfect. That process took another day away where I could have been creating, writing, and sharing. And you know what? It’s not perfect–not anywhere close. I’m calling it “good enough.”
All this tweaking served to do was to distract me from my goal, which is to share my life, my projects and my ideas with all of you. It prevented me from serving you and stopped me from reaching my full potential. This lead to a lot of frustration and all of this stopped progress before it even began because if I can’t be perfect, why bother?
We bother because the part of us that isn’t insane or obsessive knows that we’ll never know if we never try. We’ll never realize our full potential if we don’t grow…if we don’t make progress. We’re going to make mistakes along the way. That’s how we learn. If you can relate to anything I’ve written above, I encourage you to set a goal for yourself to make progress rather than attempt to achieve perfection. If you’re a goal-oriented person, progress is going to be easier to attain than perfection. Perfection is an unattainable goal. Perfectionism is a sham. Perfectionism stands in between you and your dreams. Perfection stands in the way of you and happiness! Embrace your progress!!
PROGRESS OVER PERFECTION FREE CUTTING FILE
You may not be a blogger, but I’ll bet you can relate to the trouble with trying to be perfect or obsessing over the fact you’re not. You need a reminder that progress is greater than perfection. So, I’ve got you covered.
Your assignment is to take this free cutting file and make a sign out of it. I use the Silhouette Cameo cutter for all of my vinyl cutting. Don’t worry, if you don’t know how to make a sign or where to even start. I’ll soon be adding a tutorial on how to make a sign.
Hang it where you’ll see it and let it serve as a reminder to you that wherever you are on your journey in life, we want progress over perfection.
If you’d like access to the free Progress Over Perfection cutting file, you can access it and other files in my Craft Your Happy resource library. Sign up using the form below and you’ll receive an email with the password that gets you in!
VISIT MY ETSY SHOP
If you have a cutting machine and are looking for some great cutting files, please check out my Etsy shop: Crafts You Cut. I just opened it this fall and I’m slowly building the number of products I offer.
If you enjoyed my free cutting file, will you please consider pinning this?
What will you do today to craft your happy?
Lori
Hi Lori –
I found your blog from your guest post over At JenniferMaker. I totally identify with your thoughts here, and I just wanted to let you know that about this time last year I made a commitment to not be held up if I can’t get things perfect, too. It’s a funny struggle (many people have worse problems, I know). Crafting without fear of making perfect things has been much more fun, and the practice that gives me has helped me extend that goal into other areas of my life.
Thanks for the tutorial and the cut files – I haven’t tried sign painting yet but I’m totally going to give it a whirl.
Hi Susan!
Thank you for sharing! I think this is a “problem” that many of us have. 🙂 I work at a public school and the latest buzzwords are “growth mindset” and “life-long learner.” I think it’s good as we move into the New Year to live by those words. Mistakes and imperfections are a part of learning. I hope you do try making signs. It’s so much fun!!
I found your blog by accident (a happy accident!) while searching for instructions on how to cut a roll of Oramask. We have a few similarities: the perfectionism, the love of DIY and crafting, and yes, even the sudden loss of our husbands to cancer. I was married 27 years to my husband when he was diagnosed with cancer and gone 6 months later. It’s so encouraging to see someone else who pulled themself out of the deep fog of grief and has chosen to find new joy in life. Thank you.
Stacy! I’m so sorry I didn’t see your comment earlier! I was in the middle of getting ready for my daughter’s graduation party. Please email me if you’d like. 🙂