Progress and persistence - not perfection

Recently, I was chatting to a savvy woman called Ann. She says: “It’s about progress, not perfection.”

I would add a third “P” word. “It’s about progress and persistence, not perfection.”

It’s an approach that applies in so many areas of life. Whether you are running a business, writing a book, creating art or mastering a skill ... it’s about showing up every day and doing the work.

So many people want to:

• write a bestseller on their first go
• win the Archibald when they have had relatively little painting experience
• become CEO within minutes of starting at a company

And it’s an attitude that stalls people before they even give themselves a chance at success.

I was reminded of this recently when I noticed that I was rarely posting on Instagram when, previously, I had been very active on it. I realised that it was because I didn’t feel like I had painted an amazing piece of art to feature.

Side note: In case you haven’t caught up on social media, here are the bullet points about my past year:

• I’m now a working artist. (I know. Don’t fall over in shock. I’m just as surprised as you are.)
• I’m still obsessed with words and writing. (That’s never going to go away!)
• I still love being CEO of the Australian Writers’ Centre and co-host of two podcasts. (Yes, I’ve forgotten what sleep looks like.)

Above: Here's my latest piece of art... 'Limitless'

Okay, back to my story …

I had stalled on Instagram because I felt like I had to feature amazing art. And that made me stall on my art because I felt so much pressure to create something amazing! And, in my opinion, I am far from amazing.

Eventually, I realised that I had to take the exact advice that I give to people I coach and mentor. That is: stop trying to create a masterpiece and just do the work.

So I made myself paint everyday without any expectations. And I made myself share my “practice pieces” on Instagram – purely as a way to be accountable to myself!

Once I did this, I felt the energy around my work change. I stopped caring “What will people think?” and worked on my art purely for learning and pleasure.

As soon as I posted my first “practice piece”, I almost fell over when I received a message from someone commissioning me because they loved the look of it. I also think it was the Universe’s way of saying “I told you so."

Are you afraid to show your work? Are you creating – or writing or building your business – in isolation without telling anyone what you’re doing? If that’s the case, how can you expect other people to know about what you do? Even more importantly, how will get better at your pursuit if you don’t get feedback?

Your potential is limitless. Just do the work.