So, in between the last post and this one, you've stopped being a perfectionist, right?  Just a little joke to empathize with the reality that perfectionism is a really hard habit to break.  I recommend you think about dropping this maladaptive style of doing things.  You don't have any more time to waste.

If you feel locked into perfectionism, like there are no other ways of looking at things anymore, have some compassion for yourself first.  It is likely you have been working too hard and struggling too much.  It is likely you have done too much for others and not enough to take care of yourself.  It is likely you have been covering up feelings of unhappiness and shame for a while.  So the first step is to create some space where you can transition into seeing yourself as able to do things differently than before.  Start to look for new ways of getting things done:

• take a shortcut
• ask for a reduction in your workload or a change in your assignment
• learn to delegate
• learn to say “no,” “not now,” “not ever,” “not for me”
• try to let your work define how you proceed rather than having your expectations dictate your work
• try to do something you once would have considered embarrassing or unthinkable

In other words, play around.  Just play.  Play even when you are knee-deep in work.  I mean be open to accepting your own ideas and impulses as they come to you.  Once you have begun to move away from perfectionism, a few things may occur:

• you may feel anxiety, because perfectionism existed to cover up your anxiety in the first place
• you may experience confusion, as if all of these gates are suddenly opened to you
• you may desire to have your feeling of safety back
• you may have new thoughts about yourself and how you work

Although the change away from perfectionism may be anxiety-provoking, it is life-enhancing.  Instead of being trapped in your own mind, you will gradually become a better learner and thinker.  You will begin to experience feelings of gratitude for what you are able to accomplish.  You will also come to terms with the idea that there is no way to avoid imperfection in yourself and in life.  And doing so will cause you to open up.  Perfecto. 

That's the ticket.  By the way, have you ever thought about what the “winner” of the Golden Ticket challenge actually got?  A whole big pile of work for a lifetime!