This is a follow up post to Top 5 Excuses that Keep Me from My Artwork. If you want to read it first, check it out here.
Voltaire, French activist for the Enlightenment, once said, “The best is the enemy of the good.” In my mind this translates to, “If you wait to share your work until it’s better than everyone, you’ll never share it with anyone.”
Perfectionism is the last on my list of excuses but it can oftentimes be the biggest. It is the main reason why it’s taken me so long to share my work with others. In the following paragraphs I’ve outlined the four ways that have helped me to get over my perfectionist tendencies enough to share my work and live my dream.
Contentment is key.
When my desire for perfection in my art starts to consume me, I must remind myself, nobody’s perfect, but I am made in the perfect image of God, the Creator and Designer of all things! This is the very reason I strive for perfection in the first place! But I am not God. I am me. Imperfect. And I’m okay with that, because I’m thankful for His grace and that He’s gifted me with what I do have. Being thankful is essential for maintaining contentment, and contentment is the key to battling perfectionism.
Growth is good.
When I take a look at my past work, I can see all of the imperfections and places that need improvement. But now instead of letting that steal my joy, I consider the fact that I can recognize these areas and see it as growth from where I was as an artist to where I am now. The path to success is a journey of single steps. Oftentimes, it’s my mistakes that lead to advancing my work the most. If I looked back on my work and never saw room for progress that would mean I’m not growing as an artist.
Perspective counts.
I must remember that what I consider to be “bad” art, someone else may consider to be a “masterpiece.” I’m reminded of when I’ve shared my work, even the ugly, with those closest to me. They are so kind with generous compliments. Oftentimes I automatically say to myself, they are just saying that to make me feel good. But what if they really mean it? What if they truly are impressed with my work? I’m done overthinking it and second guessing. I’m going to trust their words as truth in their eyes.
Influence matters.
I am my own worst critic, which is typical in the art world. But, expecting perfection in myself may influence those around me to expect perfection in their artwork. That is not what I want at all. I want everyone to feel set free when picking up a brush or pencil, not anxious or worried. When I teach a class I never expect a perfect piece from a student. If I don’t expect perfection in their work, why would I expect it in mine? This is how we all grow. Besides, who is to say that my opinion is perfect? If I don’t live by my own preaching, what good is my influence?
Of course, perfectionism is the murky sea creature that lies just below the surface of my conscious mind. It’s my goal to keep it from rising and pulling me under the current. Focusing on what is above helps to tame that wild beast.
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