The Ideal Shade of Purple: My Reflection on Perfectionism.

I remember staring at my computer screen, agonising over the perfect shade of purple for my branding. All I knew was that purple “had” to be included. For those who know me, I’ve had a lifelong love affair with this colour.

But this wasn’t just about purple.

To me, the shade I chose felt like a reflection of who I am. My favourite purples are deep and dark, but when I researched other websites, the popular designs were light, airy, and professional.

I began worrying that my website wouldn’t measure up.

The truth was, I had let my old friend perfectionism take hold. It wasn’t helping me; it was actually stopping me from moving forward with the bigger job of creating my website content.

What Is Perfectionism?

Perfectionism often masquerades as a strength, but in reality, it’s the fear of failure dressed up as conscientiousness. Instead of moving us forwards, it keeps us stuck, endlessly tweaking details that might not even matter.

Honestly, the purple dilemma was just the beginning! I agonised over every decision:

• The “perfect” words to convey my meaning.

• What to include in each section.

• And don’t get me started on font choices!

Perfectionism can be exhausting.

In the Thick of It

The pressure to “get it right” felt overwhelming.

I seesawed between sharing my vulnerabilities and appearing as someone who “had it all together.”

I wanted every word on my website to resonate deeply with potential clients, but that pressure made it nearly impossible to finish a single sentence.

Moving Forward

Here’s what helped me get unstuck:

• Setting Deadlines: I gave myself a hard deadline to launch, which forced me to let go of endless revisions.

• Prioritising Progress Over Perfection: I reminded myself that I could update my website at any time in the future. It didn’t have to be a finished product.

• Seeking Feedback: My business mentor and trusted friends gave me invaluable advice. They checked that my tone felt authentic and encouraged me to keep going.

• EFT for Self-Judgment: Tapping helped me calm my inner critic.

I used phrases like:

• “Even though I feel stuck worrying about the end product, I’m OK and I completely accept myself.”

• “Even though these details small details feel so critical, I am deciding to focus on the most important thing which is being real and approachable for my clients.”

Lessons Learned

Looking back, I see how much energy I wasted trying to create the “perfect” website. The irony? My future clients won’t care about perfection, they’ll care about connection.

When I’ve sought support in the past, I wasn’t looking for perfection in a coach or therapist. I wanted someone authentic, someone I could trust.

I’ve also learned to reframe “good enough” as a fun experiment. Instead of aiming for perfection, I ask myself: “Let’s see....”

Most importantly, I’ve realised my website is not a reflection of me as a person. It’s just a tool; a means to connect with others.

Even writing this blog has helped me process the ups and downs of the experience. Now, I’m feeling positive and even excited to press “publish.”

Your Turn: Moving Beyond Perfectionism

If perfectionism is holding you back, here are my my top tips:

1. Start with Progress: Focus on what needs to get done rather than perfecting every detail.

2. Set Small Deadlines: Give yourself achievable goals to avoid getting stuck.

3. Seek Feedback: A fresh perspective can help you see what’s “good enough.”

4. Be Kind to Yourself: Use tools like EFT to quieten the inner critic, calm the mind and move forward with confidence.

Remember: You don’t have to get everything right to make an impact. Start where you are, with what you have. Progress will always beat perfection.