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solstice Butterfly


Joined: Feb 24, 2005 Posts: 16
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2005 3:55 pm Post subject: Perfectionism |
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Anyone else a perfectionist? I certainly am, and it has its good and bad sides.
When I was growing up, my parents had me take piano lessons, which I picked up very easily. I became what most would consider a very good pianist, and could sight-read most anything given to me. However, since high school, I don't play as much, so my skill has been slipping. I notice that since I'm a perfectionist and if I can't be excellent while doing something, I don't want to do it at all. This causes me to not have any desire at all to play the piano any more. I guess that's kind of sad. My wife knows I can play and would like me to, and I have a nice keyboard, but I just don't want to do it because I'm not perfect. Another factor might be that I have tried writing my own music but it is much too hard for me, because I know I'd never be able to get any music to the level of perfection I aspire to. The problem might be that music is so subjective; it's not possible to really tell what "perfect" is.
These days, I am a software developer where things are more black and white. I am able to be highly creative, developing large complex website applications without any problems. I think it is easier to achieve the perfection I look for when doing this sort of work. It also brings me a feeling of accomplishment that just playing other people's music never did. I know I've created something original, which I could never do with music. |
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Feste-Fenris Phoenix


Joined: Oct 27, 2004 Posts: 519
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2005 4:09 pm Post subject: |
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I'm quite a perfectionist...
It's a sickness really... |
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Vision Blue Jay


Joined: Nov 30, 2004 Posts: 86 Location: England
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2005 4:11 pm Post subject: |
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| I can be a perfectionist at times and go over the proverbial top. |
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Ghosthunter Phoenix


Joined: Mar 20, 2005 Posts: 2473 Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2005 4:49 pm Post subject: Regarding software and creative application. |
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I may not socially fit in alot of places. One of the natural knacks,
or skills is to figure out software. I do not do webpages, but that has
never really interested me.
I am a Macintosh user and have been able to use(without manuals)
the unorthodox approaches to fixing most problems. A example, a friend
of mine pickedup a 1400c/166/64/2g/FD(fully stocked), and we were fiddling with a PCMCIA card modem. We followed basic stuff that you
are suppose to do. NO LUCK! Then my friend got a 'HARDWARE(PC)
MODEM. Lo-and-behold, after fiddling with obscure modem settings...
IT WORKED, though not Apple approved in methodology.
Their are many unorthodoxed tricks for a Mac that I found requiring
me to reinstall and have nasty firepower to someone elses mac. Keeping
in mind that I have not intent to hurt anyone, and you are a PC only guy?,
I thought to share this natural knack to tinker, explore, and learn the
way one can. |
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Ghosthunter Phoenix


Joined: Mar 20, 2005 Posts: 2473 Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2005 4:56 pm Post subject: Macintosh custom installations. |
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If your harddrive is running OS 9.x, and you harddrive decides to disappear and cannot be found, wipe the hard drive by initializing(there
is a more evil way!......) with your OS 9 Install Disk, BUT.....
GO TO OPTIONS(FORMATS) AND HAVE FUN. I am not giving all the facts
since I really can't explain what I do since I am more of a visual person.
<you can find this option under utilies of the installer, "hard drive setup"> |
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solstice Butterfly


Joined: Feb 24, 2005 Posts: 16
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2005 4:59 pm Post subject: |
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Hey did you reply to the wrong post?  |
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Postperson The Daughter of Indifference

Joined: Jul 10, 2004 Age: 51 Posts: 2908 Location: Uz
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2005 6:04 pm Post subject: |
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I too, have the awful disease of perfectionism, it really is a blight. It used to shock and concern me how NTs would have a go at a lot of things and not be too worried about the result, 'near enough is good enough' was ok for them. It took me many years to realise they have the right approach.
I'm a 'recovering' perfectionist now. |
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Ghosthunter Phoenix


Joined: Mar 20, 2005 Posts: 2473 Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2005 6:32 pm Post subject: Oops! |
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Misread into your introduction.
Sincerely,
Ghosthunter |
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chamoisee Phoenix


Joined: Aug 28, 2004 Age: 37 Posts: 922 Location: Idaho
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Posted: Mon May 23, 2005 11:59 am Post subject: |
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| I am also perfectionist. This can be a tremendous asset at times or it can slow things down. With experience and self-patience, you learn where it is better to let it go and where letting your perfectionism run free will pay off. |
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Prometheus Mindless Philosopher

Joined: May 06, 2005 Posts: 1506 Location: Through the plexiglass
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Posted: Mon May 23, 2005 12:04 pm Post subject: |
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I work with the operating principle of KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) so I figure 80% perfect is good enough. that extra 20% is not worth my time as that 20% almost always means 200% more time and effort.
It does vary from task to task though. I strive for 2% perfection when it comes to cleaning my bedroom and 90% perfection when it comes to organizing my eletronic files. . . _________________ All your bass are belong to us. |
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synchro Toucan


Joined: Feb 08, 2005 Posts: 252 Location: California
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Posted: Mon May 23, 2005 3:28 pm Post subject: |
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I am a perfectionist as well and often fall into the trap of not doing anything at all if it can’t be done perfect. When I was employed at a one-hour photo lab, I spent excessive time color correcting prints, trying to get everything perfect. Often I would be late with customer’s orders due to my perfectionism. The time I would spend would be a complete waste, because 90% of the customers didn’t know what a good print should look like! They were more than happy to pay top dollar for mediocre work. Still, it bothered me greatly handing over a set of prints that could have looked better.
Additionally, perfectionism has bothered me musically and even prevents me from playing guitar. I hit a wall with my guitar playing ability long ago, so I become disappointed when I play the same way I always have. At this point, I haven’t played in about three years. Creating songs has been extremely difficult and out of twenty plus years of playing, can only say that I have made four songs (just guitar and vocals) that were “complete.”
I don’t like being a perfectionist. |
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jobbana Tufted Titmouse


Joined: Dec 12, 2004 Posts: 29 Location: Pori, Finland
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Posted: Tue May 24, 2005 3:31 am Post subject: |
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Perfectionist when it comes to music - my hard drive gets full of unfinished songs that I've given up on due to being frustrated about some minor detail I can't quite get right. And, with electronic music, I'm constantly at the risk of getting absorbed in details and just tweaking knobs and pushing notes around, in search of the perfect configuration, instead of, well, actually writing a song.
I can only finish something when I manage to avoid this tendency for a while. |
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CockneyRebel Sid The Love Rat is a Sweet Pea :O)

Joined: Jul 18, 2004 Age: 34 Posts: 21113 Location: Out in the evening, with me two best Rat Mates :O)
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Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2006 11:53 am Post subject: |
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| I'm a perfectionist in all areas of my life. Everything that I do has to be perfect, or else I won't do them at all. I'm such a perfectionist, that I got angry at myself for spilling hot water onto the counter, when I was pouring my Tea, last week. The only area that I don't feel the need to be perfect, is in the area of Speaking. I'd rather sound like a Londoner, than like the people on NBC, or those boring News Stations, where everybody sounds exactly alike. |
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ramsamsam Deinonychus

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Joined: Oct 25, 2005 Age: 19 Posts: 363 Location: Sheringham, Norfolk, UK
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Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2006 3:57 pm Post subject: |
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I completely understand, it affects me in most areas of my life. I get bogged down and self concious with small things people most likely wouldn't care about.
This is part of the reason why I didn't even start an english essay because I had achieved an A on the previous one. Neddless to say I got in trouble and was told that this was ''crap'' and to get my 'finger out'. So I began to the and I achieved yet again another A.
This plauges me as a musician as I'm prone to making simple blunders, however I'm trying to come to terms with my imperfections as they prevent me from achieving what I desire in reality. _________________ My chest is aching, burns like a furnace that burning keeps me alive.
I'm a tumbler, born under punches.
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Astarael Numquam obliuiscor..

Joined: Aug 07, 2005 Posts: 1293 Location: Western Australia
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Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2006 9:24 am Post subject: |
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I am definately a perfectionist. It's tough but I couldn't be anything other then one. _________________ "A flower plucked carelessly and left to wilt.." |
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