You are the only one keeping score

Only fix what you can see.

Because you are the only one keeping score.

Perfection may be an illusion, but it’s also an addiction. And we have to be thoughtful towards people who struggle with it.

I recently learned that in the last thirty years, society has experienced a significant increase in this trait. In a study from a top psychology journal, researchers analyzed over forty thousand college students. The psychologists found there’s been a thirty three percent rise in socially prescribed perfectionism, linked to everything from increasing culture pressures to social media to academic expectations.

No wonder aderral usage is off the charts on most campus.

Clearly, this trait is not going away. I have worked with plenty of perfectionists in my day, and in my experience, there’s no talking them down off that ledge. They’re going to scratch that itch no matter what.

Look, if there are parts of your project that need perfection, then by all means, get it right. Scratch that itch.

But also give yourself an escape hatch. Decide which refinements will make a meaningful difference, and which ones can be left as they are. Fix the imperfections are truly noticeable and will affect the overall outcome, then move on.

It’s funny, paint cans have those ominous warnings like extremely flammable, vapor harmful, keep out of reach of children, and ingestion of this product may lead to the complete dissolution of internal organs, followed by rapid expulsion of bodily fluids.

I get that the epa has to regulate those for public health purposes. But maybe we could balance the dramatic and violent language with mantras that are more affirming and practical. Language that teaches people the toxicity of perfectionism. Paint cans could start listing affirmations like:

No third coats, good enough is done, only fix what you can see, optimize for completion, you are the only one keeping score, and visible brush strokes are god’s fingerprints.

Damn, this would actually be a brilliant marketing campaign for a struggling paint company. In a crowded marketplace where the average consumer doesn’t know the difference between latex and oil based, one bold company could redesign their iconic cans with mantras for perfectionist souls.

Imagine the president of the manufacturing company holding a press conference saying:

We were tired of simply warning customers about flammability and vapor toxicity. People might be dumb, but they’re not stupid. Everyone knows you shouldn’t inhale paint fumes. Our organization decided it’s time to tackle an even more dangerous threat lurking within home improvement projects.

The soul crushing addiction to perfection. Joe consumer doesn’t realize how lethal perfectionism is until he’s three coats deep and fighting off a nervous breakdown over uneven brushstrokes. We thought, why not help him calm down? Give him some uplifting words while he inhale cancerous off gas.

No need to unravel into an existential crisis while painting the wall. Save yourself from the abyss of perfectionism, head to your nearest hardware store and pick up a can today. We’ll even throw in a special deal.

Buy three cans of paint today, and get a free brush to slap that second coat on. Trust us, you won’t need a third. Good enough is done. And so are we.

Remember, you are the only one keeping score. Nobody is going to notice the brush strokes anyway.

What tasks bring out your inner perfectionist?