How Fear of Failure Keeps Tattoo Artists Stuck in Place with Missi Blue | Ep. 58

Perfectionism isn't about high standards—it's procrastination in disguise that keeps tattoo artists from taking action on their biggest goals. Learn why waiting to feel "ready" is holding you back and how to push past fear to actually grow your career, even when things get messy.

 

"You're never gonna feel ready. The only way to truly feel ready and confident and prepared for the things that you've already experienced and had some success with in the past."

 

Let's talk about the elephant in the studio: perfectionism. We tell ourselves it's about having high standards, but here's what it really is—procrastination dressed up in a nice outfit. For years, I played this game with starting my podcast. I went to conventions, researched equipment, studied everything I could find. But you know what actually got me started? Saying "fuck it" and hitting record, even though I had no idea what I was doing. That first year was messy, awkward, and far from perfect. But a year later, I had dozens of episodes under my belt and actual experience instead of just plans. The truth is, you only feel confident about things you've already done. The first time doing anything is terrifying—whether it's getting off a ski lift or launching a new service at your shop. But staying in that comfortable bubble of preparation keeps you exactly where you are. So the question isn't whether you're ready. It's whether you can live with being in the exact same place a year from now because you never started.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why perfectionism is actually fear-based procrastination – Understand how your drive for "excellence" might just be your brain's way of avoiding discomfort, vulnerability, and the temporary pain that comes with trying something new

• The survival instinct keeping you stuck – Learn why we're hardwired to avoid pain and how to recognize when you're protecting yourself from feelings rather than actual danger

• How to reframe the "readiness" trap – Discover why waiting to feel fully prepared is impossible and why you only gain confidence through action, not planning

• The power of the "trial run" mindset – Get practical strategies for starting messy and imperfect by treating everything as practice, which eliminates the pressure of getting it right the first time

• Why data beats planning every time – Understand that real-world experience gives you proof and confidence that no amount of preparation can provide

• How to choose discomfort now for success later – Learn to make the conscious decision to feel vulnerable and uncomfortable in the short term so you can achieve your long-term goals

• The ugly duckling era concept – Realize that everyone you admire went through a messy, imperfect phase before they succeeded, and why embracing yours is essential for growth

 

Ready to stop planning and start doing? Look, you can spend another year researching, preparing, and waiting to feel ready, or you can show up messy and imperfect and actually make progress. The choice is yours, but remember: everything sucks before it gets good. The question is, which version of yourself do you want to be a year from now—the one who took the leap or the one who's still standing at the edge? Take one action today that scares you. Your future self will thank you for it.

Links:

boundbyart.com

bluebirdtattoos.com

instagram.com/tattoosbymissiblue

instagram.com/boundbyartproject

instagram.com/bluebirdtattoostudio

Music: Unknown Road - The Harp Project