Self awareness
Writing a 'Permission Slip' for an Imperfect Action
This is a creative writing task for perfectionists to formally give themselves permission to do.
For the client whose high standards lead to chronic procrastination, the intellectual argument for “good enough” rarely lands. They are often trapped in an all-or-nothing loop where the only acceptable action is a perfect one, and since that is impossible, no action is taken. This is especially true for creative or ambiguous tasks where the fear of a flawed outcome can be overwhelming.
This directive reframes self-permission from an abstract concept into a deliberate, documented act. By externalizing the decision to proceed imperfectly, it lowers the immediate pressure and helps decouple the client’s sense of value from the task’s result. The client walks away with a specific, self-authorized warrant to move forward on one thing without the usual weight of expectation.
Writing a 'Permission Slip' for an Imperfect Action
Find a piece of paper and a pen. Copy the following text by hand to create a formal permission slip for one specific task you are struggling to complete. Fill in the bracketed sections as you write.
Official Permit for Imperfect Action
Permit Holder: [Your Full Name]
Date of Issue: [Today’s Date]
Action Authorized: [Name the specific task, e.g., “writing the project proposal,” “cleaning the garage,” “sending the follow-up email”]
By signing this document, I grant myself unconditional permission to perform the action named above to a standard that is not perfect. This authorization is binding and final.
The following specific imperfections are explicitly permitted for this single instance of the task:
___ Minor factual or calculation errors. ___ Typos or grammatical mistakes. ___ Awkward phrasing. ___ A result that is functional but not elegant. ___ Not checking the work more than once. ___ Finishing before I feel completely ready. ___ Other: [Describe a specific imperfection you will permit].
This permit becomes void if I engage in any of the following prohibited behaviors:
___ Spending more than [set a realistic, non-perfectionistic time limit] on the task. ___ Re-doing a part that is already functional. ___ Apologizing for the quality of the finished work.
Signed and Authorized by,
(Your Signature)
Place this completed permit where you can see it while you work. Refer to it if you find yourself attempting to violate its terms. Do not discard it until the task is done.
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