Chasing Ghosts: Silence the Haunting Chatter of Perfectionism
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Lauren Atherton
As part of our series on avoiding common design horrors, today we dive into a tale that has haunted many nonprofit leaders: Chasing Ghosts. 👻
It’s late afternoon, and your nonprofit is on the brink of launching a new campaign.
The final design is almost ready—just one more tweak to the logo, another color option to consider, and maybe the tagline could be a little punchier.
You can’t quite put your finger on it, but something is missing. You’ll know it when you see it, right?
And so, the cycle begins. You revise, adjust, and tweak, but the “perfect” design remains just out of reach—like chasing a ghost in a fog-filled forest.
It feels close, but every time you think you’ve caught it, it slips through your fingers, leaving you unsure and back at square one.
This endless pursuit for perfection, where you’ll know the design when you see it, can become a nightmare. Not only does it stall the project, but it drains your energy and focus, making it impossible to move forward.
The ghost you’re chasing? It doesn’t exist.
The perfect design is often a mirage, and in the quest for it, you end up losing sight of the purpose and message you wanted to convey in the first place.
The truth is, perfection in design isn’t about finding the one flawless idea—there are a thousand different ways to solve the problem. Instead, it’s about creating something that communicates clearly, resonates with your audience, and aligns with the goals of your brand.
The more you chase after an elusive “perfect” design, the more likely you are to lose your way and end up with a brand identity that feels close to where you started in the first place. It’s a miserable place to be as a leader, with the nightmare living in your own mind.
Here’s how to put the haunting chatter of perfectionism to rest:
- Keep the main thing, the main thing: Keep your mission front and center in your design choices.
- Define your goals early on and trust the process: A solid plan will keep you on track and prevent endless revisions, or worse, a Frankensteined design!
- Get a second opinion: Ask your team or peers for feedback. Donors aren’t the right audience for design input—consult with those who understand your mission and vision for the brand.
Don’t let the fear of messing up stop you from missing out on a fresh design that could take your nonprofit to the next level. You’ll never find that “perfect” design, but you can create something powerful and impactful—without chasing ghosts.
Pack your shovels and raincoats – next week we’re heading to the graveyard to unearth the dangers of burying the lede. 🪦 Until then, I hope the chatty ghosts in your attic cross over to the great beyond.
Lauren Atherton
Related Resources
For more insights from the graveyard of branding mistakes, explore these articles:
Buried Alive: Resurrect Your Message from Layers of Clutter
