Overcoming perfectionism can be a beneficial step toward personal growth and reduced stress. Embracing imperfection and letting go of perfectionism can lead to a happier life.
Perfectionism is the tendency to have excessively high standards for oneself and to strive for flawlessness in all areas of life. While high standards can benefit certain situations, perfectionism often increases stress, anxiety, and constant dissatisfaction. I have outlined below how to overcome perfectionism and the benefits of doing so.
Recognize the negative impact
Think about how aiming for perfectionism impacts you. Does it create extra anxiety? Prevent you from feeling proud of your work? Try to notice perfectionistic thoughts happening in real time. Then, question if your expectations are realistic or necessary. Replace negative self-talk with compassionate self-talk.
Set realistic goals
Set goals you can actually achieve. Break big tasks into smaller steps. Stay focused on progress over perfection.
Embrace mistakes as learning opportunities
Perfectionism often stems from the fear of making mistakes. Shift your mindset and see mistakes as valuable learning experiences. Recognize that they are a normal part of the growth process. Adopt a growth mindset that values progress over being flawless.
Perfectionists view failure as a reflection of their self-worth and often avoid taking risks to prevent potential failures. Embracing imperfection helps you develop a healthier perspective on failure. You understand that failure is a natural part of growth and learning, and it doesn’t define your worth as a person. This perspective allows you to take more risks, learn from setbacks, and ultimately achieve greater success.
Expecting everything to be perfect can often lead to rigidity and a fear of change. Embracing imperfection allows you to be more flexible and adaptable in facing challenges and uncertainties. You become more open to new possibilities and can navigate life’s ups and downs more resiliently.
Practice self-compassion
Your perfectionism probably didn’t start yesterday – it might have been central to your life since childhood. So be kind and understanding with yourself. We all make mistakes – it’s part of being human! Be gentle with yourself when things don’t go as planned, and give yourself encouragement and support.
Set boundaries
Learning to set healthy boundaries by prioritizing self-care, leisure time, and relaxation can take you a long way, considering that perfectionism can lead to overworking and burnout. Allow yourself to take breaks and recharge, knowing it will contribute to your overall productivity. If this is hard to imagine doing, take small steps toward setting boundaries.
Overcoming perfectionism is a gradual process, so be patient with yourself. Embrace imperfection and focus on personal growth, self-acceptance, and finding joy in the journey. Remember, embracing imperfection doesn’t mean settling for mediocrity or giving up on personal growth. It means recognizing that perfection is always unattainable and embracing our flaws and mistakes is essential to being human. By letting go of perfectionism, you can create a happier and more fulfilling life for yourself and those around you.
If you find that your perfectionist nature is causing harm, reach out to our therapists, who can help you navigate it.