Do you find yourself chasing perfection all the time? Maybe you feel that nothing is ever “good enough.” If yes, you’re not alone. Although striving for perfection might seem exemplary, it often leads to needless stress. In this blog, we’ll look at ways to overcome perfectionism and to start appreciating imperfections.
Perfectionism refers to the trait of endless striving for extreme perfection and flawlessness. Perfectionism is like setting the bar so high that no one can reach it, not even you! Whether it’s work, relationships, or hobbies, it can leave you feeling drained, frustrated, and sometimes, even a little stuck. Though it sounds amazing to always want to be at your best, perfectionism may prevent us from taking risks, delaying big decisions, or blaming ourselves for small errors.
SPOILER ALERT: NOBODY IS PERFECT!
Here are some common signs of perfectionistic thinking:
- Overthinking: Taking longer to make decisions or to tweak small details.
- Procrastination: Ironically, perfectionists often delay beginning tasks because they are overwhelmed by the thought of doing it perfectly.
- Fear of Failure: Hesitant to take on new or challenging tasks out of fear of making mistakes.
- Difficulty Delegating: Doing things by yourself irrespective of time, energy, etc. because you believe that nobody else can do it right.
- Very critical about yourself (and others): Observing flaws and drawbacks in people and things around rather than appreciating what is good
Why Imperfection is Actually Awesome
Did you know that a lot of people who are in successful careers embrace imperfections? Steve Jobs, Oprah, and even J.K. Rowling have all accepted their failings and missteps. Yet, that didn’t stop them! Their imperfections became stepping stones for their success.
- Mistakes = Growth
Mistakes are something we want to avoid at all costs, but what if those errors are your greatest teachers? Everything changes when we shift our perspective from viewing mistakes as setbacks to viewing them as learning opportunities. Consider this: how did you learn to ride a bike? Most likely by falling off a couple of times first! Real growth happens when we pursue new things, fail a little, and pick up skills along the way. We evolve more when we grant ourselves the freedom to make mistakes.
- Let Creativity Flow
Perfectionism makes it harder to let your creativity flow. You miss out on the joy of exploration when you begin to fret too much over the “what ifs”—what if it’s not good enough? You can try new things courageously when you accept imperfections. And who knows? Something even more remarkable than what you were expecting could come from those imperfections!
Embrace Imperfection Like a Pro
Below are some of the most effective strategies that can help you in your journey of transforming your thoughts around perfection:
- Be Kind to Yourself: Show yourself the same compassion and empathy that you would show a friend. You may tell them, “It’s okay! Next time, you’ll perform better.” Give yourself the same pep talk.
- Celebrate Small Wins: Honour any growth, no matter how small. Finish a task, even if it didn’t turn out exactly as you had planned? That is great! Rather than worrying about things that went wrong, focus on what worked.
- The 80/20 Rule: Ever heard of this earlier? The key is to let go of perfection and focus on the 20% of your work that will result in 80% of your outcomes. Don’t get fixated on fine-tuning every minuscule element. Focus only on what truly matters.
- Make SMART objectives: Research indicates that SMART goals—specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound—can reduce perfectionism by providing you with grounded objectives. By dividing tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks, you can foster consistent development and alleviate the pressure to complete things perfectly.
- Practice Mindfulness: Practising mindfulness helps you be more present rather than focusing on your aspirations for your “perfect” end goals. Regular mindfulness activities, like meditation, can help you place less emphasis on the desire for perfection and more emphasis on the here and now. This makes you more willing to accept your mistakes and shortcomings.
Conclusion
Although perfectionism may seem like a pathway to success, it might stop you from realising your full potential. Besides relieving the continual strain, accepting imperfection will allow you to be more creative and wise. Remember that being yourself is more important than being flawless, because let’s face it, nothing is flawless! Try implementing one of the recommendations in this blog and see how empowering it is to embrace your own imperfections!