Chapter 1: The Burden of Perfectionism

Content creators and writers often face immense pressure before sharing their work with the world. This relentless struggle is particularly pronounced on platforms like Medium.

As I share my thoughts, I’m excited to note that this is my very first article on this platform, and I welcome any applause for this milestone!

To be honest, perfectionism has been a significant part of my life. As a child, my compulsive need for perfection felt like a superpower. I was meticulous to the point where adults couldn't help but notice my attention to detail.

During sleepovers at my grandparents’ place, I would engage in quirky rituals to ensure my clothes were perfectly pressed. I would often take my grandfather’s old chair from his study, which held an odd charm, and meticulously arrange my clothing to eliminate every crease.

As I grew, this perfectionist streak was appreciated by adults around me, while a few immature peers resented my attention to detail. Fast forward to my postgraduate studies, where my perfectionism became an asset while analyzing linguistic nuances between English and French.

In essence, my perfectionist tendencies became my secret weapon for achieving success in various fields, especially in academia.

However, the emergence of the internet has transformed everything. In my youth, obtaining a single quote for a paper required a trek to the library, while now, AI allows instant access to information. This shift has granted writers unprecedented power to reach global audiences.

Yet, content creation in the modern era is paradoxical: it's easy to publish but emotionally challenging to create. My greatest adversary in writing has been my own perfectionism.

On Medium, the challenge intensifies due to the high caliber of content and the fact that many readers pay for premium insights. The pressure to deliver quality work can feel overwhelming, especially for someone who has spent years honing their craft.

So, how have I managed to navigate these pressures?

At this moment, I type with a newfound confidence. My secret?

I’ve learned to disregard the critical voices inside my head.

Chapter 2: The 3+1F Formula

It’s essential to silence your inner critic, which often fuels procrastination. I’ve developed my own formula:

1. Fear it: Acknowledge that fear is a natural response when taking action.
2. Fuck it: Dismiss your fears and ignore any self-doubt. Dive in without hesitations.
3. Forge it: Allow your thoughts to flow freely. Avoid overanalyzing your work.
4. Forget it: Once published, let go and move on. Others will encounter your work in their own time.

While it’s important to engage with feedback, don’t become fixated on metrics. Instead, focus on creating meaningful content.

To summarize:

• Acknowledge your perfectionism and see platforms like Medium as opportunities.
• Prioritize substance over flawless execution.
• Implement the 3+1F formula: Face your fears, disregard them, forge ahead, and move on.

If I, a neurodivergent individual with perfectionist tendencies, can do it, so can you. Emphasize progress over perfection to overcome self-doubt and creative paralysis.

For those looking to master their emotions and leverage self-awareness for growth, consider enrolling in my free 5-day SELF-MASTERY course, which encapsulates the framework I took over 20 years to refine.

Thank you for reading! We are all in this together!

If you appreciate my work, feel free to support me by buying me a cup of coffee!