The ability to strive for perfection is often regarded as a strength that can help you achieve your goals. However, it also has the potential to bring about counterproductive actions and thoughts and make progress towards objectives less likely. Anxiety, depression, stress, and other mental health issues are also possible outcomes. Talking to a therapist might be helpful for those who struggle with excessive self-criticism and strive for perfection due to feelings of inadequacy or failure.
Perfectionism is the desire to be or look faultless or even believe perfection is attainable. It is usually seen as a strength rather than a weakness. Aiming to be your best is not the same as striving for perfection. Perfection is not about achieving and thriving.
Signs that you may be a perfectionist
Most individuals indulge in Perfectionism occasionally or in specific aspects of their lives. People who are practically full-time perfectionists may experience a continual drive to reach perfection. They may also:- Not be able to accomplish a task until they are confident they can do it flawlessly.
- Consider the final result the most significant aspect of any endeavour. As a result, individuals may pay less attention to the process of learning or completing a task to the best of their abilities.
- Do not consider a work completed unless the outcome meets their exacting criteria
- Procrastinate. Perfectionists may refuse to undertake a task until they are confident they can complete it flawlessly.
- Taking an unusually long time to finish a task typically takes only a little time.
- Bad impact of Perfectionism
You are never finished
Because perfection does not exist, you continue to strive for it but never reach it; as a result, your endeavour is never done. You will not accept being second best at anything. You are incredibly competitive and can't bear losing at anything, no matter how minor. You even go so far as to avoid jobs when you know you won't be able to do them well.
You stress past blunders
You are concerned about what you did and did not do right. You go over each step repeatedly, worried that you didn't do enough or did something incorrectly. You are critical of others and pass judgment on them. Because you strive for perfection, you judge those who make mistakes or do things incorrectly.
You must be in command
When dealing with others, you want to be in command because you want things done correctly. You even go above and above to ensure that everything is done correctly. You are unable to take constructive criticism. When you make mistakes, you feel defensive and depressed because you cannot tolerate being more petite than flawless.
You like pleasing others
You want everyone to admire and respect your work. You feel anxious and don't like what you've done. See also: How to Stop Worrying About What Others Think of You.
Your health is suffering as a result of your Perfectionism
Constant concern with accomplishment and conditional self-acceptance hurt your mental and physical health. This obsessive obsession causes worry, despair, and debilitating self-doubt. Unsurprisingly, excessive Perfectionism may harm your health, relationships, and overall quality of life.
Perfectionism Suggestions
Develop a healthy obsession with excellence. Instead of obsessing about perfection, strive for high standards and create realistic goals emphasising improvement rather than the unattainable. You'll know it's a healthy diet when you're enthused about the task rather than feeling weighed down.
Get rid of the all-or-nothing mentality
You're accomplishing yourself a disservice if you think of all or nothing. Nothing in life runs smoothly or without hiccups. Success in any effort is frequently a two-step forward, one-step-back procedure. Accept that you will sometimes perform things incorrectly or incompletely. Instead, concentrate on your development.
Exercise self-acceptance
Negative self-talk is undoubtedly a component of pathological Perfectionism, especially when things don't go as planned. Instead of criticising yourself, acknowledge that you did your best at the time. Look for what went well and then commit to doing better in the future.
Take care of your relationships
Relationships are vital; do not prioritise your work over your relationships. Maintaining relationships is just as crucial as being devoted to your career. One person should not suffer for the sake of another. Make time to spend with your family and friends. Don't let your goal for perfection force you to disregard your relationships.
Take baby steps
Because perfectionists are prone to setting unreachable objectives, one strategy to alleviate stress and avoid this inclination is to take tiny and gradual steps toward what you want to achieve. Setting smaller, more attainable objectives allows you to achieve a more successful end.
Make yourself alert
The first step in changing your perfectionist tendencies is to become aware of them. Starting a daily notebook in which you write your thoughts and feelings of failure, negativity, or falling short in some manner is an excellent approach to achieving this. Examining these ideas will help you become aware of your habits and, as a result, be able to change them.
Final Thoughts
Perfectionism may be beneficial or harmful, depending on how extreme it is. Many people perceive perfection as a strength rather than a flaw. A therapist may help those who strive for perfection due to feelings of inadequacy or failure. Optimism may harm your health, relationships, and life. Belief in one's abilities is a dangerous obsession.
Instead of perfection, set high standards and realistic goals that stress progress rather than perfection. Perfectionists often set impossible goals, so take small measures to attain your goals. Relationships are as meaningful as professional dedication. Spend time with your family and friends instead of sacrificing yourself.
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