A great many artists struggle with perfectionism. Sometimes perfectionism helps us to get better at something but often, particularly in business, it can get in the way of success. Perfectionism might come from a general feeling of insecurity. We may think we’re not good enough or undervalue our talent. To be a good and successful artist, we need to learn how to believe in ourselves and be confident in the value of our art.

In your art or craft making a business, it is important to use your time wisely and profitably. You must not let perfectionism slow down your work to where it is no longer profitable for you. Always keep an eye on your time. If you repeat making certain items, you might wish to set an upper time limit for making it. For example, perhaps you are making decorative journals and selling them for $16 apiece. To make it profitable, you may decide you shouldn’t spend more than half an hour making each one.

Creative people are often very critical of their work. This is not how others see what we do. Things we see as mistakes they usually don’t notice at all. Instead they see the beauty of what we make and admire us because they can’t make it. Even other artists and crafts-persons will admire our work.

The best use of your critical eye is when you are developing a new product line or style. A good product line will be pleasing and sell well. Packaging, your logo and business card, the method you use to photograph your work, any promotional postcard, these are good areas to use your critical eye because many people will see them and it will affect your overall image. Anything that will be repeated is a good place to perfect your image, but don’t spend too much time on individual pieces.