What perfectionism, over-curation, and 'not quite ready' syndrome are really costing you.
Everyone loves to talk about high standards.
In job interviews, performance reviews, client bios – it’s worn like a badge of honour. But let’s be honest: for many ambitious, capable people, high standards are just fear in disguise.
They’re a polished excuse for staying stuck.
The dangerous disguise of perfection.
High standards feel responsible. Mature. Smart. You tell yourself you’re being thorough. You’re just not ready yet. You want it to be excellent.
But behind the scenes?
You’re overthinking, hesitating, reworking something for the 14th time — or waiting for a magical sign to finally launch, post, pitch, show up.
And here’s the truth.
- Growth doesn’t wait for perfection.
- Impact doesn’t come from hiding.
Are you improving or avoiding?
There’s a fine line between raising the bar and avoiding the game altogether.
Perfectionism can mask:
- Fear of judgment
- Fear of getting it wrong publicly
- Fear of showing up as your full, flawed, brilliant self
But growth doesn’t happen in the planning. It happens in the doing. The messy, imperfect, get-back-up kind of doing.
Good enough is powerful
Some of the most successful people you admire?
They didn’t wait until they were “ready.”
They moved. Fast. Rough drafts. Visible learning. Constant feedback.
Confidence didn’t precede their actions - it came from them.
Here’s the paradox:
- The more you act, the more clarity you get
- The more visible you are, the more refined you become
- The more imperfect things you do, the faster you grow
Time to drop the mask
You’re not helping anyone by staying in invisible prep mode. Not your clients. Not your business. Not your future self.
It’s time to stop equating high standards with high impact – they’re not the same.
You don’t need more polish. You need more presence. More courage. More action.
Let go of flawless. Embrace real. And watch how fast everything changes.
Ready to break out of perfection mode and finally get seen?
I work with individuals who are done waiting and ready to own their next chapter. Send me a DM or head to elinmai.com to explore coaching options that move the needle.
