Good enough is...good enough! 7 ways to escape the perfectionism trap.

Released from the "perfectionism trap"

How many times in the past have you agonized relentlessly over a piece of work, just to nip it in the bud because it's "not ready yet" or "not good enough"...?

Or prevented yourself from going after an opportunity, be it a dream job or a project, because you don't meet all of the criteria, and what if you fail…?

If you, like me, procrastinate on getting started whilst you do your 'research', relentlessly obsess over 'improving' your work, or get into analysis-paralysis before making a decision, let me tell you this...

It is not because you have high standards. In fact, it's quite the opposite.

Whilst striving for high quality work and aiming for excellence are signs of a healthy drive, there is a?very fine line between having high standards and self-sabotage.

Perfectionists often masure own value by how successfully they met their own sky-high standards and are often paralysed by fear of making mistakes, leading to a constant tussle between progress and the pursuit of perfection.

I finally broke my perfectionism pattern after being exposed to the "scrappy culture" in one of my HR roles.

When my manager called a Leadership Team meeting and asked me to present an unfinished piece of work, I broke out in cold sweat.

My manager’s words were,?"Embrace the scrappiness, let's get some feedback and refine".

Turns out the Leadership Team was much more forgiving that I was towards myself, and I slowly started to crawl out of my "perfectionist trap".

Very slowly. Be kind to yourself, it's a process.

The perfectionism paradox

According to the Centre for Clinical Interventions in Western Australia, perfectionism typically involves three elements:

1) relentless striving for extremely high standards?for yourself and/or others;

2)?judging your self-worth based on ability to achieve?them;

3) negative consequences?when you can’t because ‘perfection’ is elusive

The?very idea of perfectionism is paradoxical because perfection is a subjective standard, what is perfect to one person might be sub-standard to another!

Perfectionism is also a double-edged sword. On one hand it represents pursuit of excellence...on the other it?can actually hinder progress as we stall on decisions waiting for the perfect time or the right idea, and agonize over impossible standards we set for ourselves.

Perfectionism can lead to life paralysis as it?prevents us from taking risks, making mistakes, showing up vulnerably, all of which are natural elements of progress and learning!

It's the lowest standard, because you don't get anything done!

You don’t need to drop your standards completely, but it might be time to break up with perfectionism!

Imperfect action trumps inaction any day!

If you recognise that your perfectionism is far from a badge of honour and it simply no longer serves you, here are a few strategies I suggest you try (imperfectly):

1/ Get comfortable with vulnerability.

Pledge to take imperfect action and allow others to see your vulnerability and courage in taking risks and making mistakes. Courage breeds courage, start small and you will be amazed at how much easier the 'bigger stuff' becomes!?It's like a muscle, you have to work it!

2/ Be kind to yourself.

The very premise of perfectionism is "all or nothing" thinking, and so it is important to practice self-compassion?as you learn this and do not give up if you slip. It's okay to recommit.

3/ Share how you feel with someone you trust.

Authentically sharing allows others to do the same, and opens doors to build connection and get honest feedback from someone you trust. You will also learn you are not alone!

4/ Aim for progress, not perfection.?

Lower the bar for entry and just start, give yourself permission to mess it up and iterate as you go. Remember that?imperfect action trumps inaction every time as it means you are moving!

Thomas Edison's?is my role model for embracing failure, it took him 1000 attempts to finally get the lightbulb and his perspective was:?"I have not failed, I have found 1000 ways this doesn't work".

Make "done is better than perfect" your new mantra!

5/ Challenge assumptions you have about perfectionism.

Ask yourself:

• Am I really a failure if I don't get it 100%? What if 80% is still a success?
• What if the goal was to grow and learn rather than achieve perfection?
• Could I maintain a high standard AND be kind towards myself?

6/ Reframe how you relate to failure and rejection.

Remember that you are not your achievements and perceptions of others do not define you! Mistakes do not mean you are a failure, instead see it as a lesson on mistakes to avoid in the future (and that is one step closer to mastery).

7/ Get clear on your values.

Once you know what experiences matter to you, it's easier to make decisions in alignment with that. Ask yourself,?would I rather value learning and growth or fitting in?

Start small, but start today

Perfectionism can be both a blessing and a curse, as it pushes us to excel but also stops us from making progress.

By being open to vulnerability, kinder to ourselves, and focusing on growth instead of perfection, we can beat perfectionism and truly thrive.

Remember, done is better than perfect, and taking action—even if it's not perfect—beats doing nothing.

So go out there, take imperfect action and?start living the life where failure is feedback and an ingredient for growth!?For now, let me leave you with a quote:

“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.”?―Dale Carnegie

Whatever you do, keep showing up for you.

#perfectionism #perfectionistrap #standards #confidence #emotionalintelligence #career #careertips #success

???P.S. Ready to ditch perfectionism and take charge of your career? Whenever you’re ready, here’s how to get started:

??Find out more about my “Quietly Brilliant” 1:1 Coaching Program

?? Reach out to me for a FREE chat to explore how I can support your journey

??Find out about my Corporate Program, Career Disrupt

Take the first step towards a more fulfilling life and career today. I'm excited to be part of your success story!

?????P.P.S. Other ways to start deepening your learning and take action:

?? Is perfectionism stopping you from putting yourself out there? Assess and strengthen your professional presence with our Professional Presence Quiz!

?? Subscribe to “Quietly Brilliant” monthly Newsletter – packed with tips, insights, and success stories on #career, #success, #confidence, #womenempowerment, and #quiet achievers. Check out a few of my articles on related topics:

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