How to learn a valuable lesson about the curse of perfectionism

1. Be a steadfast perfectionist
2. Glance into the corner of your office where there is a ghastly open void
3. Grumble at the blatant waste of space in said corner
4. Design a bespoke shelving unit that fits *exactly* into that awkward corner, taking very accurate measurements and drawing everything neatly on your plans
5. Research how to finish the unit. In depth. Read forums and products reviews with advice (Paint? Spray or brush? Sticky-back plastic? Decopage?)
6. Ask someone to "handy" build it for you
7. Talk them through your complex drawings and ideas, confused, as it appears your notes are suddenly not *actually* very legible
8. Reiterate that, while you are a perfectionist, you do not require perfection from them
9. Admire at how that handy person tackles the job with gusto, problem-solving along the way
10. Don't admit to yourself that there were problems to be solved
11. Watch them give up ("for now") part way through because the finish you chose for the unit is too damned frustrating and just. won't. work. properly
12. Let the project sit for a couple of days, all the while glancing into the chasm in your office
13. Decide to tackle the unit yourself
14. Realise that the handy person was right. It's a pain in the ass
15. Tell yourself that it won't be perfect. It's impossible. The materials are repelled from each other like oil and water
16. Tell yourself it doesn't *have* to be perfect
17. Clench your teeth while you work and repeat #16 every time the plastic sticks to itself and not the wood and every time the plastic won't stick to the wood and every time it bubbles and every time it buckles and every time you cut a crooked line
18. Be wrong