Have you ever found yourself spending hours on a task only to feel like it's still not quite good enough? Do you constantly revise emails, tweak presentations until the deadline looms, and hold yourself to unrealistic standards? If so, you're not alone. Perfectionism, the relentless pursuit of flawlessness, is a common trait that can masquerade as a force that drives us. However, more often than not, it only ends up holding us back and causing unnecessary stress and anxiety.?
Perfectionism is the irrational desire and tendency to strive for excellence, setting excessively high standards that are impossible to meet. Perfectionism can manifest in various ways, from agonizing over minor details to avoiding tasks altogether for fear of messing up. Perfectionists tend to view anything short of flawless as an unacceptable failure and engage in harsh self-criticism if they fail to achieve set goals.?
Why do we fall into the trap of perfectionism?
Several underlying reasons lead to developing a perfectionist mindset. Some of these include fear of failure, fear of making a mistake, early childhood experiences, comparison traps on social media, etc.?
Whatever the root cause, perfectionism is a damaging habit that can lead to stress, unhappiness, and procrastination while also robbing you of your creativity, productivity, and peace of mind.?
How to break out of perfectionism
Let Re:Set guide you to break through these seemingly impossible habits with seven impactful techniques to loosen perfectionism's grip on you and embrace being "imperfectly perfect." ?
- Redefine “perfect”:?Rather than striving for an idealized, unattainable version of "perfect", redefine it as simply doing your personal best with the time and resources available.
- Embrace the “good enough” zone:?Create a sweet spot between acceptable and perfect - the “good enough” zone. Try to strive for quality work, but acknowledge that completing a task is essential, too. Set a deadline for yourself and stick to it, even if you have the urge to rework it. You can make it a fun challenge too.? (Read more:?Level Up: How Goal Setting Games Can Improve Your Productivity
)
- Challenge your inner critic:?Perfectionists often grapple with a harsh inner critic that highlights every flaw. Recognize this critical voice and counter it with self-encouragement and compassion. Instead of seeing mistakes as catastrophic, reframe them as learning opportunities. Adopting this growth mindset helps you bounce back and avoid dwelling on negativity. At?Re:Set
, our bespoke well-being courses focus on personal growth and positive mindset shifts. Our experts provide personalized tools and techniques designed to break negative thinking patterns and foster a growth mindset, helping you move towards a more fulfilling and balanced life.
- Try new things regularly:?Perfectionists often avoid venturing outside their comfort zones for fear of not being immediately great at something new. Allow yourself to be a beginner again at an activity you’ve been wanting to learn but have been putting off. And through this process, keep reminding yourself that learning takes time and practice.
- Do things “perfectly badly”:?Every once in a while, schedule an imperfection break and allow yourself to deliberately do something “perfectly badly” or with no quality standards at all. Finger paint with no concern for art, write stories without editing, etc. This can be a gentle reminder that the world keeps turning even when things aren't perfect.
- Seek out the imperfect:?Surround yourself with examples that showcase how flaws, quirks, and imperfections can be beautiful and interesting and add character. One simple way of doing this is to visit a local park or natural area and actively seek out examples of "imperfection" – a crooked tree, a misshapen rock, a wilting flower. Re:Set offers a range of therapeutic Well-Being Experiences, including?ecotherapy
, which emphasizes nature's unique value and beauty. This experience can inspire and help you feel relaxed and rejuvenated, guiding you to appreciate the charm in imperfection.
- Ask your future self:?Perfectionism can often stem from a fear of future disappointment. When a perfectionist voice starts criticizing your work, imagine yourself a year from now, having already completed the project. Ask yourself, "Would you, my future self, be truly devastated by this perceived imperfection?” Most probably the answer will be a resounding “No!” This perspective shift helps you prioritize what truly matters and let go of minor details that won’t be important in the long run.
The quest for perfection is exhausting and by taming your inner perfectionist, you can free up mental energy, find more joy, and actualize your potential. The most meaningful achievements, most interesting stories, and most enduring works of art all contain flaws and imperfections that make them remarkable. Give yourself that same grace. Embrace being “imperfectly perfect.”
