A common reason for not sharing our creative projects with the world is the “I don’t think its ready” excuse.
The “I don’t think its ready” excuse eventually becomes “I’m still working on it” which leads to “I give up”.
Procrastination is the passive way to avoid the fear of judgement & public failure.
“The graveyard is the richest place on earth, because it is here that you will find all the hopes and dreams that were never fulfilled, the books that were never written, the songs that were never sung, the inventions that were never shared, the cures that were never discovered, all because someone was too afraid to take that first step, keep with the problem, or determined to carry out their dream.” ~ Les Brown
Embracing Imperfection as a Super Power
Embracing imperfection is a great tactic for overcoming procrastination and negative self talk. This is a time tested strategy that has helped many succeed in business, comedy, music, film, and more.
Early Italian painters used the phrase: Penti Menti or pentimento – Also understood to be a change made by an artist during the process of painting. These changes are usually hidden beneath a subsequent paint layer.
The word pentimento is derived from the Italian ‘pentirsi’, which means to repent or change your mind.
Fields of Imperfection
The following are fields where artist and creators excel by using imperfection as part of their work.
- Jazz Music
- Ceramics and Pottery
- Contemporary Dance
- Abstract Expressionism in Painting
- Film (Particularly Independent and Experimental Cinema)
Examples of Imperfection
Toni Morrison – Author/Writer
Toni’s work unpacks the imperfections of social realities and often challenges modern story telling structure.
In novels such as “Beloved” and “The Bluest Eye,” she places focus on the painful imperfections of history and human behavior, turning them into powerful stories that highlight resilience and humanity.
Leonardo da Vinci – Polymath
He was an Italian polymath who embraced imperfection and mistakes to become a great painter, draughtsman, engineer, scientist, theorist, sculptor, and architect..
Leonardo’s notebooks reveal a thinker who accepted the imperfections of human understanding and the natural world. He often wrote about the importance of observing the world as it is, with all its imperfections, rather than as it should be.
Dave Chappelle – Comedian/Writer
Chappelle’s comedy often involves sharp, insightful commentary that embraces cultural and social imperfections.
He uses these as a lens to reflect on broader societal issues, making his observations both humorous and thought-provoking.
Embracing Imperfection Leads to Action
Embracing imperfection will help you make progress on your personal projects. By viewing mistakes and setbacks as a part of the creative process, you become impowered to create and share your work with the world.
The more you share your work with the world, the less fearful you become and procrastination becomes a bad habit of the past.
