You're struggling with perfectionism at work. How can you break free and boost your productivity?

Perfection is not the goal, progress is. ?? Embrace the product versions, prioritize what adds the most value now, and improve in the next iteration. ???

If you’re like me, perfectionism might feel like a double-edged sword—pushing you to do your best but often holding you back from getting things done. I’ve learned that striving for perfection can lead to overthinking, delays, and burnout. The real game-changer? Shifting the focus from being perfect to making progress. Set small, realistic goals, embrace the occasional misstep, and celebrate every win, no matter how small. Remember, sometimes, something is better than perfect. Let’s allow ourselves to be human, learn, and keep moving forward.

Set Achievable Objectives: Make a plan that fits your timetable, skills, and personal objectives. Divide your objectives into manageable chunks to avoid the overload and frustration that perfectionism frequently brings. Recall to enjoy your small victories along the way and place an emphasis on advancement rather than perfection. When faced with obstacles, this strategy can help you stay resilient and motivated.

I used to be a real perfectionist- and then I moved into the zone of being a “tired” perfectionist! At times I’ve learned the hard way that perfectionism is the enemy of the good. I became tired of my perfectionism when I realized that all my effort often didn’t result in the desired outcomes or it was rather criticized instead of commended. My advice is divide your tasks and activities into those that only need to be “good enough” and those that need more of a gold standard. Pile all your effort and energy into the latter and allow the former to meet the test of fit for purpose. It’s often difficult to shift in the first instance - so seek regular feedback from those around you.

This is a common problem of mine. My struggle to give the best financial coaching service to clients often leaves me chasing time. Here are some tips: - Set clear, realistic goals. Focus on progress over perfection by breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps and celebrating small wins. - Embrace “good enough” to avoid getting stuck in endless revisions. - Use time management techniques like the Pomodoro method to maintain momentum and set limits on tasks. - Seek feedback early to gain perspective and reduce fear of errors. - Reflect on how perfectionism affects your performance and identify any underlying fears. As a financial coach, I also guide clients to prioritize effectively to focus on impactful work.

Perfectionism is productivity’s evil twin—always nitpicking, never satisfied! Here’s the reality check: 85% of the stuff we worry about never happens (Cornell study). So, stop over-polishing that report! Adopt the “good enough” mindset—done is better than perfect. Set time limits, embrace mistakes as learning, and celebrate small wins. Perfectionists spend 50% more time on tasks, while non-perfectionists crush deadlines! Drop the cape; no one expects you to be a superhero (besides, the costume’s tight). Ready to break free? Commit to finishing one task today without overthinking. Watch your productivity soar!

- Break down tasks into smaller, achievable steps to prevent feeling overwhelmed - Establish clear deadlines and prioritize tasks based on importance and urgency - Focus on progress rather than perfection, celebrating small victories along the way Example: - Instead of aiming for flawless results in one go, set realistic goals for completing specific aspects of a project within a reasonable timeframe. For instance, aim to finalize the outline of a report by the end of the day, allowing room for revisions later.

?? Set Realistic Goals: Focus on progress, not perfection. Prioritize what’s essential and let go of the need for everything to be flawless.

Establishing achievable objectives is critical to enhancing productivity and mitigating the impact of perfectionism. It is essential to evaluate our capabilities in relation to our ongoing projects rather than solely focusing on SMART goals and KPIs. Collaboration and seeking assistance from fellow team members, consulting subject matter experts, and engaging a coach or mentor are pivotal to excelling in our day-to-day challenges. Should there be a requirement for specific training or skill development, it is imperative to address these needs before setting goals.

"Fear" is normally at the root of all traps of procrastination and "Perfectionism" in my view is just another manifestation of some-kind of fear. It would be helpful for anyone who identifies perfectionism as a trap to explore what is the fear that is at the root of this ? One generally finds that a fear of rejection, or a fear of being seen as inadequate of incompetent is at the root of the problem. The person wants to keep on working and iterating in search of the elusive 'perfection'. Some one once told me that a leader will get half the decisions wrong any which way ;) ;) So there really is little merit in trying to iterate.

I have played with being intentionally imperfect. Rather than being punctual, let it go and arrive 10 minutes late on purpose. It's uncomfortable - but not that bad.

One of the big problems with perfection is the lack of objectivity and, consequently, the difficulty in meeting deadlines, but one of the big problems with imperfection is the fact that some tasks are completed with poor quality, so, for me, finding a balance between perfection and imperfection is the right thing to do. By this, I mean that we shouldn't fully embrace imperfection and we shouldn't embrace perfection either; balance should be the watchword.

Know your limits and your strengths. Focus the attention of your desire to be perfect on areas where you shine. Be able to recognize where your limitations are and seek resources, support or guidance to help bolster those areas of work on your deliverables. Being able to comfortably navigate your work is difficult when you expect every element to be perfect. It's acceptable to be a work in progress- acknowledge that you are growing and learning through your work

Think about it: Can you be perfect in being imperfect if needed? Even there is opportunity to stand out in what you are doing by handling tasks the way it suits the organisation perfectly - even if they are done 80%

It is absolutely important to understand the difference between “what are urgent, priority, important and necessary tasks?”, so that we can increase efficiency levels and consequently individual and/or collective productivity.

I use metaphors and vivid language such as think of a potter crafting a beautiful vase. It's the imperfections that make it unique and valuable. Similarly, embrace your "perfectly imperfect" work. Let go of the need for flawlessness and prioritize tasks based on impact, not just polish. Remember, a finished project, even with minor flaws, is more valuable than a perfect one that never gets done. Embrace progress, not perfection, to unleash your true productivity potential.

I find it helpful to identify the one thing that I want to get done each day. Understanding why it is important. What the impact would be if it does not get done. What I might do instead of completing the task? Planning for what I would do if I find myself getting distracted on other more interesting tasks.

In my experience, breaking free from perfectionism and boosting productivity requires not just prioritization but also adopting a mindset of progress over perfection. Setting realistic goals for tasks, along with clear time limits, can help curb the tendency to over-analyze or polish work unnecessarily. It’s also helpful to regularly review completed tasks to reinforce the idea that "done" is often better than "perfect." Embracing feedback from colleagues can offer valuable perspectives, helping you focus on areas that truly matter.

Prioritization is key to combating perfectionism. By focusing on the tasks that truly matter and letting go of the need to over-polish smaller ones, you free up time and mental space. It's all about learning to balance effort with impact to stay efficient and productive.

I think it is easy to say seek feedback but how many of us can honestly I said HONESTLY say that we naturally like or love feedback. We are all human and sometimes feedback can make us defensive and can close us off to the message in the gift of feedback. I would say first of all examine your relationship with feedback if it annoys you that's ok. You can start to reframe that feedback as fuel to make you a better version of your self. If you want to take it one step further get a book about growth mindset!

Feedback is vital so you can improve. This was shown to me when I interviewed Jack Canfield for Esquire magazine. At the end of the interview Jack said I should have asked him, on a scale of one to 10 how was the interview, how could I have made it better, and what tips can he give to help me for my next interviews? There's nothing quite like a real life example to bring it home.

Feedback, whether positive or negative, plays a fundamental role in the individual growth and development of any professional who wants to achieve excellence, as it allows us to obtain points of view from different angles and perspectives. On the other hand, the feedback received must be managed rationally so that it doesn't have a negative impact.

Seeking feedback from colleagues or mentors can offer valuable insights and help you see the bigger picture. Constructive criticism can reveal when your work already meets the necessary standards, freeing you from the pursuit of unnecessary perfection.

Seeking feedback is invaluable for growth. It helps break the echo chamber of our own thoughts and brings fresh, constructive insights that we might not have considered. Sometimes, we're our own toughest critics, so hearing from others can offer clarity and often shows us that we’ve already achieved more than we realize. Embracing feedback is key to continuous improvement and staying aligned with the bigger picture.

Perfectionism is a type of anxiety disorder. Perfectionists are always chasing something that does not exist—perfection! As a result, they are often in anguish, constantly feeling not good enough, and frequently in a state of panic. Why? Because their entire sense of self-worth is tied to their achievements. The fear of failure consumes a perfectionist because, if they make a mistake, they can't stop beating themselves up and feeling inadequate. This is one of the most toxic types of anxiety disorders and can significantly hinder both career and personal life. The best advice is to heal this anxiety disorder. You can't truly escape perfectionism unless you work to heal it!

Time management is essential for overcoming perfectionism. Setting clear boundaries for tasks encourages us to focus on progress, not perfection. It’s a reminder that perfect doesn’t exist, but progress does – and that’s where real growth and productivity happen. Managing our time wisely helps us prioritize results over endless tweaks and ensures we don’t get stuck in the pursuit of perfection!

Viewing time as a resource to be used wisely can shift the perfectionist mindset. When we ask: "How much time does this task deserve?" and "What level of precision does it truly need in the larger scheme?", we start differentiating between tasks. Not all require flawless execution; some demand attention to detail, while others benefit from efficiency. This ability to zoom out for perspective and zoom in for focus helps reduce perfectionism, allowing us to prioritize tasks that truly need precision and freeing up time for those that don’t.

I use my clients imagination by letting him or her think of feedback as a friendly GPS, helping you recalibrate your journey towards success. Don't fear it, embrace it! Also I incorporate the Pomodoro technique: focus intensely for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. This helps my clients manage time effectively and stay focused amidst the chaos. Remember, it's about progress, not perfection. Let's celebrate each step forward, together.

Time management can overcome perfectionism ? Set time limits for each task ? Avoid overanalyzing by sticking to deadlines Thus, Managing time = Boosted productivity without sacrificing quality.