I want to address something that lurks in the wings, waiting to suck you in…and it’s a real productivity killer: Perfection-ism Syndrome.

“I can’t do the next thing until this task is just right!” If you find yourself saying this, you’ll have a really hard time being efficient and productive.

Successful entrepreneurs must be able to juggle multiple tasks and while the details are important, getting it “just right”…doing things “perfectly” will slow progress and hold you back.

Consider these tips, they’ll help you get real about the Perfection-ism Syndrome:

 Tip #1: You’ll never do it perfectly. Nobody does anything perfectly. But you can do things very well. You can do great work, you can do your very best…and that’s all that’s required to make real, measureable progress.

Tip #2: Accept the fact that you have to complete steps simultaneously. There will always be at least 2 or 3 three things happening at once. You’ve got to be able to move from one task to the next without being afraid that one of the steps wasn’t done perfectly. A trusted advisor or coach can give your work the second look, the added perspective that will shed light on some obvious changes that can be made. Even then, it won’t be perfect!  

Tip #3: Do good, quality work and your inevitable imperfections will be forgiven. When you focus on quality and trust the methods of experts who have already “been there” you can rest assured that your efforts will be well received by your target market.

So remember, there’s really no such thing as perfection in business. You’ve got to manage multiple tasks, and focus on quality.

You’ve got permission to be less than perfect. Trust me, imperfection is a hallmark of a great entrepreneur!

In business you’re flooded with information from marketers and experts.

Some of it piques your interest but eventually you simply get stuck staring at all of it; “Is this the right thing to do next, or is that the right thing?”

That’s Paralysis Analysis! And before you know it, hours, days, even weeks can go by and you’re still stuck in the exact same place—nowhere.

The truth is, analyzing information creates a “feeling” of work and it creates the illusion of progress when it’s really just another insidious form of procrastination.

So, here are some important tips that can help you bust out of Paralysis of Analysis:

Tip #1: Unsubscribe from those unnecessary lists, set inbox rules, and find an expert who can answer your questions quickly. Limit your information influx and you’ll have a lot less stuff to analyze!

Tip #2: Don’t over-think your business, keep it simple. I don’t mean to oversimplify things here, but remember that building a marketing plan around your business consists of a few key concepts—a validated “niche” idea, a strong and effectively written offer/message, a proven strategy for building your own list or distribution, and the ability to execute the plan. So, focus on grabbing insight on those key concepts but don’t get sucked into spending hours and hours analyzing every possible approach to doing these things—pick a technique, confirm it with a coach or expert—then Get To Work!

Tip #3: Get To Work! That’s right, nothing moves you out of being stuck in paralysis quicker than getting moving…just start doing it! You’ll learn more and gain expertise faster than you can by reading more stuff and “thinking about” it. In the words of those killer athletes over at Nike, “Just Do It!”

Analyze yourself for a minute. Are you spending more time studying and contemplating information more than you’re actually doing real work? If so, you’re stuck in Paralysis of Analysis.

It’s time to get moving! Go get to work!