Perfectionism Is Just Procrastination in Heels
- Barbara Maisonet
- Jun 20
- 2 min read
How Polishing Every Detail Might Be Slowing You Down
Let’s be honest: perfectionism sounds noble. It wears a blazer. It color-codes calendars. It has impeccable handwriting and never misses a deadline (in theory). But let’s call it what it really is — perfectionism is just procrastination in stilettos, strutting around pretending it's doing something meaningful.
The Sneaky Side of Perfectionism
Unlike classic procrastination, which is easy to spot (hello, Netflix binge), perfectionism hides behind productivity. It whispers things like:
“I can’t launch until I fix the website font hierarchy.”
"Is this font the same as the header font? We should pick more fonts, this one just isn't right."
“I just need to tweak this presentation one more time.”
“I’ll record that podcast when I get the perfect mic, script, voice, lighting, energy, lunar alignment...”
And suddenly weeks — even years — pass while you're still waiting to start.
Why We Choose the Heels
Perfectionism gives us the illusion of control. When we’re afraid of failure, judgment, or simply looking foolish, we tell ourselves we’re “not ready yet.” So we polish. We tweak. We overthink. It feels productive, but often it's fear dressed up in ambition.
Think of it this way:Procrastination says, “I’ll do it later.”Perfectionism says, “I’ll do it perfectly… later.”Both keep you stuck.
The Cost of Waiting
That book you never publish? The business you never start? The job you never apply for? Perfectionism is the thief of momentum. And momentum is everything. You don’t get clarity from planning — you get it from doing.
What to Do Instead
Launch at B-minus. Most successful people start before they’re ready. They know you can’t edit a blank page.
Set a timer. Give yourself 90 minutes. Finish. Ship. Let it go.
Celebrate messy progress. Done is better than perfect. Every time.
Ask: What am I afraid of? Then call it out. Fear loses power when named.
Final Thought
Perfectionism wants to impress. Purpose wants to impact. So ditch the heels. Roll up your sleeves. Start messy, stay real, and trust that imperfect action beats perfect delay every time.
Ready to trade in perfection for progress? Let’s talk.
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