3x3: On Perfectionism, Stacking Skills, and Fixing Your Focus

Hi, it’s Tom.

This week, we’re tackling:

• How to stop perfectionism from slowing you down

• Why stacking skills beats trying to be the best

• Why fixing focus is easier than working harder

Let’s dive in.

1. Perfectionism is a Tool

If you’re like me, you grew up where mistakes were pointed out before successes. No matter how well you did, something could have been better.

At first, it feels like a curse. You finish something and instead of celebrating, your brain finds the flaws.

But honestly, I wouldn’t trade that for anything.

Perfectionism isn’t the problem. The problem is waiting for things to be perfect before moving forward.

I used to think perfectionism slowed me down. And sometimes, it does. But what’s worse? The opposite. Imagine not even knowing what to improve.

The real skill is using perfectionism to improve, not to delay.

A simple example: When I make visuals, I always see how they could be better. But instead of tweaking forever, I release them, take notes, and improve on the next one. That’s how I progress without getting stuck.

Don’t kill perfectionism. Control it.

Question: Are you using perfectionism as an excuse? How could it actually help you move forward?

2. Stop Trying to Be the Best, Do This Instead:

People get famous for one thing. Right?

Not really.

Sure, for Federer it’s Tennis. For Gordon Ramsay it’s cooking (and yelling).

But most people who reach the top aren’t world-class at just one thing. They’re really good at a few things and combine them.

• Steve Jobs wasn’t the best engineer, marketer, or designer. But he understood all three well enough to create something revolutionary.

• Casey Neistat isn’t the best filmmaker or storyteller. But his mix of skills built a massive audience.

• Naval Ravikant isn’t the best philosopher or investor. But his skill stack made him a modern-day sage.

This is as close to a shortcut as you’ll get. If you’re already good at something, find the next skill that multiplies your value.

For me, it’s self-development, creativity, writing, and social media. I’m not the best at any of them, but the combination makes my work unique. That’s why I get so many different opportunities.

Right now, I:

• Sell my illustrations online (my boutique is finally live, have a look!)

• Do licensing work for brands and creators

• Coach clients to level up their lives

• Write newsletters and social media content for self-development creators

• Consult for social media creators who want to grow

I’ve never had to advertise my work. People reach out because my skills create unique value.

Stacking the right skills opens doors you never saw before.

Question: What’s your current skillset? And what’s the next skill that could take you to another level?

3. Fix Your Focus by Fixing Your Environment

Most people think they have a focus problem.

They don’t. They have a distraction problem.

Trying to focus while surrounded by distractions is like trying to stay dry in a thunderstorm. You can hold an umbrella (productivity apps, Pomodoro timers, noise-canceling headphones), but you’re still in the rain.

The only real solution is to step inside.

Fixing your focus isn’t about trying harder. It’s about removing what’s making you distracted.

• Delete apps that hijack your attention

• Turn off notifications that don’t matter

• Make distractions inconvenient (hide your phone, block websites, put your TV remote in another room)

Your ability to focus isn’t broken. It’s just being stolen.

Question: Try spending a full day with your phone completely out of sight. What happens if you repeat this five days a week?

One Final Thought

• Perfectionism is a tool. Learn to turn it on and off.

• The fastest way to be the best at one thing is to be great at two or three and combine them.

• Before trying to improve your focus, remove what’s stealing it from you.

Have a great weekend.

À la prochaine,

Tom

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