Ever wondered why it is so hard to get a project happening? Small business owners frequently start off with a great idea, go through the processes of creating a business plan - and then run out of steam.

You see, everything is fantastic while you can clearly see your vision for your business, but at some point someone or something is going to change the way you intend to achieve that vision.

Take for example the owner of a Women's Retreat who has the most incredible energy for connecting with people and teaching them how to work with the energies around us. She and her husband bought a wonderful old building with lots of space for workshops, guest accommodation and a commercial kitchen. Then they started working on the renovations.

Four years later, when asked why they still hadn't opened the business, they said ‘Nothing went as we planned, and we ran out of energy.' The business went on hold because they couldn't get the paint colour they wanted, find a builder to alter a wall to their specifications and get the electrician to change the lighting to suit their requirements.

What really happened? This couple were the first to admit that they are perfectionists and if they couldn't get exactly what they wanted, everything went on hold (or they had a great excuse to procrastinate) until they did get what they wanted. Were they just making excuses for something else like a lack of confidence that they could create the business of their dreams? Very possible. Were they afraid to invest in something that might not work? Also possible.

In another example, a business owner is a graphic designer and specializes in things like business cards, brochures, flyers etc for small businesses. She told me she has lost business because she has insisted on being perfect and has put work aside if she does not think it meets her standards. This caused unreasonable delays and the customer went elsewhere.

This lady now completes the first draft to a very high standard, and then sends it back to the customer for their input. Often, the customer is perfectly happy with it and no more work is required. Work can then be turned around within the customer's timeframe and everyone is happy.

In any business, it is extremely important to maintain visibility, credibility and reliability, but to the customers' standards. When we allow perfectionism to cause us to postpone taking action, we lose the flow of energy in our businesses and the whole sales cycle slows to a halt. If that happens we have to start again, and that can be even harder than it was the first time because the fear of the same things happening again can be overwhelming.

To prevent perfectionism from causing us to procrastinate, many successful business owners set themselves a very clear goal. They write it out in detail and end with the date by which they will achieve it. Then they take time to work out what steps they are going to take to achieve that goal, prioritise them and work through them one by one allowing themselves to complete each step to the absolute best of their ability within a given time.

Now the focus changes from the ‘perfect' scenario, to the one that works as well but allows for the flow of energy and constant work on a project. As a result, projects are completed, customers are engaged and money starts to flow. There is always the opportunity to improve every aspect of your business, but it's a bit like when you are learning to ride a bike and although you see yourself speeding down a given path in total control, the first attempts will be very wobbly. Nevertheless you are riding the bike and as you work on improving your riding everything improves at the same time.

Keep working on your business and eventually it will all come together. Lower your standards to a place where they are achievable and you will be amazed at how quickly you will reach your goals.

Penny Paxman is coaching small business operators in rural communities. She is the owner of Ticks Life Coaching and can be contacted at www.tickslife.com.au or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it