Perfectionism Quotes

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  Perfectionism is the enemy of creation, as extreme self- solitude is the enemy of well- being.

  John Updike

  Acceptance, Self, Perfection

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• The fastest way to break the cycle of perfectionism and become a fearless mother is to give up the idea of doing it perfectly - indeed to embrace uncertainty and imperfection.

  Arianna Huffington

  Mom, Mother, Wisdom

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• Perfectionism spells paralysis.

  Winston Churchill

  Paralysis, Spells

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• Perfectionism is not a quest for the best. It is a pursuit of the worst in ourselves, the part that tells us that nothing we do will ever be good enough - that we should try again.

  Julia Cameron

  Perfection, Trying, Quests

  Julia Cameron (2002). “The Artist's Way: 25th Anniversary Edition”, p.160, Penguin

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• Better to do something imperfectly than to do nothing perfectly.

  Robert H. Schuller

  Life, Motivational, Positive

  Robert H. Schuller (1996). “Your Positive Plan for Love and Happiness”, Bbs Publishing Corporation

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• Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.

  Confucius

  Life, Success, Mistake

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• Many people think of perfectionism as striving to be your best, but it is not about self-improvement; it's about earning approval and acceptance.

  Brené Brown

  Acceptance, Thinking, Self

  "Author Brené Brown Discusses Embracing Our Ordinariness". Interview with Martha Rosenberg, www.huffingtonpost.com. February 21, 2011.

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• The pursuit of perfection often impedes improvement.

  George Will

  Work, Character, Perfection

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• Healthy striving is self-focused: "How can I improve?" Perfectionism is other-focused: "What will they think?"

  Brené Brown

  Thinking, Self, Healthy

  "The Gifts of Imperfection". Book by Brené Brown, 2010.

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• Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life, and it is the main obstacle between you and a shitty first draft. I think perfectionism is based on the obsessive belief that if you run carefully enough, hitting each stepping-stone just right, you won't have to die. The truth is that you will die anyway and that a lot of people who aren't even looking at their feet are going to do a whole lot better than you, and have a lot more fun while they're doing it.

  Anne Lamott

  Running, Fun, Writing

  Anne Lamott (2007). “Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life”, p.28, Anchor

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  There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in.

  Leonard Cohen

  Life, Motivational, Inspiring

  Song: Anthem

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• When perfectionism is driving us, shame is riding shotgun and fear is that annoying backseat driver!

  Brené Brown

  Riding, Driving, Annoying

  FaceBook post by Brené Brown from Jun 13, 2013

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• Let go of who you think you're supposed to be and embrace who you are.

  Brené Brown

  Letting Go, Thinking, Midlife

  Brené Brown (2011). “불완전함의 선물”, Cheongha/ Tsai Fong Books

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• Understanding the difference between healthy striving and perfectionism is critical to laying down the shield and picking up your life. Research shows that perfectionism hampers success. In fact, it's often the path to depression, anxiety, addiction, and life paralysis.

  Brené Brown

  Differences, Addiction, Anxiety

  "The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are". Book by Brené Brown, August 27, 2010.

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  Have no fear of perfection - you'll never reach it.

  Salvador Dali

  Funny, Music, Sarcastic

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• The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself.

  Anna Quindlen

  Confidence, Letting Go, Being Yourself

  Anna Quindlen (2009). “Being Perfect”, p.15, Random House

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• Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor; the enemy of the people. It will keep you insane your whole life.

  Anne Lamott

  Positive, Positivity, Voice

  Anne Lamott (2007). “Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life”, p.28, Anchor

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• Perfectionism is not as much the desire for excellence, as it is the fear of failure couched in procrastination .

  Dan Miller

  Procrastination, Excellence, Desire

  Dan Miller (2015). “48 Days to the Work You Love: Preparing for the New Normal”, p.86, B&H Publishing Group

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• Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing.

  Harriet B. Braiker

  Motivational, Women, Memorable

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• Perfectionism is simply putting a limit on your future. When you have an idea of perfect in your mind, you open the door to constantly comparing what you have now with what you want. That type of self criticism is significantly deterring.

  John Eliot

  Doors, Self, Ideas

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• A man would do nothing if he waited until he could do it so well that no one could find fault.

  John Henry Newman

  Inspirational, Inspiring, Motivational Sports

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• Perfectionism is a twenty-ton shield that we lug around thinking it will protect us when, in fact, it's the thing that's really preventing us from taking flight.

  Brené Brown

  Thinking, Twenties, Shields

  "The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are". Book by Brené Brown, August 27, 2010.

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• However, don't let perfectionism become an excuse for never getting started.

  Marilu Henner

  Excuse, Getting Started

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• Too many people spend too much time trying to perfect something before they actually do it. Instead of waiting for perfection, run with what you go, and fix it along the way.

  Paul Arden

  Running, People, Perfect

  "It's Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want to Be". Book by Paul Arden, www.huffingtonpost.com. June 1, 2003.

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• Welcoming imperfection is the way to accomplish what perfectionism promises but never delivers. It gives us our best performance and genuine acceptance in the family of human -- and by that I mean imperfect -- beings.

  Martha Beck

  Mean, Acceptance, Giving

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