Perfectionism is like an endless roller coaster without a stop. Even when you think the work is done, an internal voice suggests the result is insufficient. We keep re-adjusting the project until it is “perfect” and fall into a procrastination pattern. The project will never be finished because something will always be missing.
The desire to be perfect can work in two ways. Either you get stuck in the “development process,” where something is always missing, or you only plan and design the ideal project without taking action. In both cases, the final project never reaches where you want it to be.
Seven years ago, I was enthusiastic about creating a blog to share my travel experiences. A complete cycle passed before I motivated myself to finally create this project. Still, it only happened the day I understood perfectionism was a form of procrastination.
If you are like me—someone who often dreams about endless ideas but struggles to execute them—this blog is for you. Believe me, I was there, and sometimes, I still am.
In this piece, I want to introduce the advice of ancient Stoic philosophers who have helped me in my ongoing process of overcoming fear. Additionally, I want to provide online tools and resources to help you execute that project in your mind.
Table of Contents
Perfectionism or Procrastination?
To understand the background of perfectionism, we must first comprehend where it comes from. As human beings, we constantly measure success based on social standards and are unconsciously programmed with a narrative of triumph shaped by what our family or friends have achieved.
However, trying to become the best version of yourself based on someone else’s expectations is frustrating. We keep refining and planning but never executing. This is when perfectionism turns into procrastination
Frustration sometimes blurs the joy of the entire process and makes us focus only on the ideal result. We want to land our dream job or build a successful project without going through the step-by-step.
Delaying our projects is not about laziness but about our emotional incapacity to confront the process. According to Dr. Fuschia Sirois, professor of psychology at the University of Sheffield, we often enter the cycle of chronic procrastination when we struggle to manage the negative emotions surrounding a task.
I wanted to create content, but I was always afraid of what people would think of me. Maybe if I decided to talk about a topic in which I was not an expert, people would judge me. What if I said something stupid?
My lack of decision and action was far from just a lack of time management. It was about how I coped with emotional states like anxiety, insecurity, frustration, and self-doubt.
Perfectionism in Stoicism
Ancient Stoic philosophers, such as Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus, warned about the dangers of being overly attached to external results. For the Stoics, the value of achievement comes from the process and daily learning, not just the final result.
In Stoicism, the concept of Amor Fati, or the love of fate, is an invitation to embrace the process. This Stoic mindset encourages us to make the best out of every situation and learn from every step we take.
It is scary to change jobs, start a project, or embark on a new life path. But, is even more frightening to stay in a place where we are no longer happy. Accepting that process and movement are inherent parts of achievement will help you take conscious action.
For me, writing this blog has been a great way to believe in myself more. I have realized that knowledge does not come from planning but from action. And even though fear and anxiety arise, I am the one who decides whether or not to nurture them.
Epictetus said, “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” The biggest obstacles are within us and in how we perceive each situation.
How many times have we criticized ourselves for our mistakes or judged ourselves for not progressing fast enough? What if, instead, we were more grateful and celebrated our achievements?
If you celebrate micro-wins, you internalize your progress and focus on your steps. Gratitude will overpower procrastination and frustration.
Remember: Progress is not about big jumps but small victories.
Techniques to Stop Procrastination
For the Stoics, the real achievement is self-discipline. When we understand that we cannot change overnight, we transform the narrative in our minds.
Think about any hobby you have—painting, writing, or maybe a sport. Getting good at it usually happens through continuous action. Big changes come from micro-habits. If you improve by just 1% every day, in one year, you will become an expert.
There will be days when motivation does not exist, and it might never come. You can either take action and generate it or focus on the lack of inspiration. Action is the fastest way to overcome procrastination and fear.
I want to share three techniques from some of my favorite authors that have helped me along this journey. I went from being the girl who dreamed of having a blog to the one who actually writes it.
Whether my writing is good or not will be determined through practice and process—not by staying in fear.
Technique 1: Small Actions Are More Digestible
Imagine if you had to eat a giant steak. Is it easier to eat it in one bite or to cut it into pieces?
The same applies to our goals. Setting giant, difficult objectives or focusing on others’ progress creates frustration and anxiety, which only delays our process.
For example, instead of saying, “I want to create a blog,” I divided the goal into mini-tasks:
- Watch a YouTube video on how to create a blog.
- Write the first article.
- Get feedback and learn from my mistakes.
- Write two blogs per month.
The process is not linear, and it never will be. I started this blog in November but paused while on holiday in Colombia. Now, I have restarted again. It is not about being perfect but about returning to the habit.
A great resource for building action into your routine is Atomic Habits by James Clear.
Technique 2: The 5-Second Rule
A few months ago, I read The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins. This book blew my mind and reprogrammed the way I approach habits.
Procrastination starts in the morning when we snooze our alarms. Not everyone is a morning person—I certainly am not. Starting projects and waking up early are equally difficult for me.
In her book, Robbins compares taking action to a rocket launch. Every time she struggled with making a move, she counted down from five and jumped into action.
Do not give procrastination space to inhabit your body, and the results will follow. Another tip added to this method is to set deadlines. A project without a deadline is just a wish.
When you mix action with deadlines, your brain processes the task more tangibly, making it easier to execute.
Technique 3: Journaling and Tracking Progress
My favorite tool and one I have used for over five years, is journaling. Writing your thoughts in a self-reflective way allows you to break them down and gain perspective on a problem.
When you write daily, even about small feelings, you open your mind and heart to identifying the root issue. Is it a lack of time management or fear? A lack of structure or anxiety? Might be your Impostor Syndrome (IS) talking? Find more about IS here.
While journaling, talk about your micro-achievements. Track the actions you have taken toward your dreams. If the thought “I have not done enough” ever creeps in, go back to your notes and see what you have accomplished. To me, this feels like a hug to my soul.
Conclusion
Perfectionism is just a way of procrastinating to avoid confronting our emotions. Most of us have postponed taking action simply because we fear not meeting others’ expectations or being criticized.
As the Stoics taught, success comes from the process, not just the results. Owning our minds and becoming our allies in difficult moments is a path to self-trust.
There are many techniques to overcome procrastination, but none will work unless we reprogram our minds. Taking ownership of our process is the only way to break old patterns and move forward with our dreams.
Have you experienced procrastination? Share your thoughts in the comments!
