Perfectionism has lied to me my whole life.
It told me if I could just get it right, every word, every detail, every move—then I’d finally feel ready. But here’s the truth: Perfectionism didn’t make me better. It kept me stuck.
And if you have ADHD, you know this trap all too well. Our brains love novelty, chase dopamine, and avoid discomfort like the plague. Perfectionism gives us the perfect excuse to never start… because nothing will ever feel “good enough.”
But here’s the thing: perfectionism isn’t a badge of honor; it’s procrastination in disguise.
Over the years, I’ve learned that if I want to move forward, I have to give up the illusion of perfect and embrace progress instead. In my latest podcast episode, I’m sharing three ADHD-friendly strategies that have helped me and my clients push through the perfectionism wall and actually take action.
- Draft Zero
Don’t aim for a polished first draft. Just get the messy, imperfect version out of your head and onto paper (or into action). Once something exists, you can shape it.
As the charismatic teacher Ms. Frizzle from the show The Magic School Bus used to say: “Take chances. Make mistakes. Get messy!”
- External Accountability
Find your people. Whether it’s a friend, coach, or community, having someone to check in with takes the pressure off perfection and keeps momentum going.
- Time Limits
Deadlines aren’t the enemy; they’re the catalyst. Timers and time blocks help your brain shift from “I’ll get to it eventually” to “Let’s just get it done.”
If you’re ready to finally stop letting perfectionism keep you from your goals, watch this episode now. We’ll dig deeper into each of these strategies and give you practical steps to start today, imperfectly, but powerfully.
Watch the full episode here: <red button link to episode>
