We often strive for perfection in everything we do, thinking that it’s the only way to be successful. But, this isn’t always the case. In fact, sometimes when you let go of perfectionism it can actually lead to greater success.
Trying to be perfect is the enemy of creativity. It’s a trap that keeps you from taking risks, from putting your work out there, and from making mistakes.
The fact is it’s a common roadblock that stands in the way of happiness, productivity and success. It can also prevent you from starting projects because you might feel like you’re not good enough to do them justice.
While it can be tempting to aim for perfection, striving for excellence instead can lead to far better outcomes.
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What Is The Root Cause Of Perfectionism?
There is no one root cause of perfectionism. It can be driven by a need for approval or avoidance of criticism, a fear of failure, or a desire to control one’s environment.
Wanting to be perfect at everything can also be a learned response to early experiences, such as having excessively high standards set by parents or teachers.
No matter its roots, being a perfectionist is often accompanied by rigid thinking and a deep-seated belief that if something isn’t perfect, it’s not good enough.
This black-and-white thinking can lead to a lot of self-criticism and dissatisfaction. It can also make it difficult to take risks or try new things because the fear of making a mistake is just too great.
If you’re a perfectionist, you might find yourself always striving for an unattainably high standard. Maybe you’re never satisfied with your work, no matter how hard you try.
Or maybe you have trouble completing tasks because they never seem “good enough.” Whatever the case may be, perfectionism can affect your mental health and be a real obstacle to living a happy and fulfilling life.
What Are the Three Types Of Perfectionism?
There are three main types of perfectionism:
1. Self-oriented perfectionism – This refers to when you set high standards for yourself and you’re constantly trying to meet those standards.
2. Other-oriented perfectionism – This is when you set high standards for others and try to get them to meet those standards.
3. Socially prescribed perfectionism – In this case, individuals believe that others have high standards for them and they must meet those standards.
Why We Should Let Go Of Perfection?
Perfectionism is a dangerous and slippery slope. It can cause us to put unreasonable, unattainable standards on ourselves and leads to a lot of self-criticism and guilt.
It can have a number of negative consequences, such as anxiety, stress, depression, eating disorders, and social isolation.
It’s important to learn to let go of perfectionism and accept ourselves for who we are – warts and all. We need to learn to be kinder and more forgiving toward ourselves.
When we do this, we’ll be less likely to feel the need to strive for perfection, which is an unattainable goal anyway.
Video On Let Go of Perfectionism
If you think you might be a perfectionist, there are a few things you can do to change your thinking and improve your well-being.
- First, try to become more aware of your perfectionistic thoughts and behaviors.
- Try to challenge your perfectionistic thinking.
- Focus on developing a more realistic and balanced view of yourself and your goals.
How To Let Go Of Perfectionism
It’s important for you to remember that making mistakes is part of being human. You learn from your mistakes and they make you who you are.
So instead of beating yourselves up about them, you should try to view them in a positive light.
Here’s the thing, I know, it’s not always easy to let go of perfectionism, it can be a tough habit to break. But if you’re willing to put in the effort, it’s definitely possible for you to power through and become successful.
If you find yourself struggling, here are a few tips to help you overcome perfectionism:
1. Accept That Perfection Is Impossible
One of the main problems with perfectionism is that it’s impossible to achieve. No matter how hard you try, you’ll always find something to criticize or improve upon.
Instead of chasing an unattainable goal, learn to accept your flaws and move on.
2. Stop Comparing Yourself To Others
Another issue with trying to be perfect is that it leads to constant comparisons with others. You might compare your work to that of your colleagues, or compare your appearance to that of celebrities or models.
Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on your own progress and achievements.
3. Set realistic goals
If you’re constantly setting unrealistic goals for yourself, it’s no wonder you’re never able to meet your own standard and it can leave you feeling like a failure.
Instead of striving for perfection set achievable goals that you can realistically accomplish. This will help you to feel more successful and motivated, and it will make it easier to gradually let go of being a stickler for perfection.
4. Take Breaks
Burnout is real, and it’s something that all perfectionists are susceptible to. When you’re constantly pushing yourself to do more, it’s important to take breaks and give yourself time to relax.
Otherwise, you’ll quickly become overwhelmed and stressed out. Do something that will help you to relax and forget about those tendencies for a while.
5. Talk To Someone
Perfectionism is a common roadblock that stands in the way of happiness, productivity and success. While it can be tempting to aim for perfection, striving for excellence instead can lead to far better outcomes.
If you’re struggling to let go of perfectionism on your own, talking to a therapist or counselor can be very helpful.
He or she can help you understand the root of your problem and offer strategies for how to deal with it.
6. Be flexible
Another problem with wanting to be perfect is that it often leads to inflexibility. Perfectionists are often so set in their ways that they’re unwilling to change or adapt, even when it would be beneficial to do so.
When you’re this rigid, it can prevent you from being open to new ideas or even opportunities. So instead of being so uncompromising, try to be more flexible in your thinking.
Consider different points of view and be willing to experiment with new things.
7. Delegate And Build A Support Network
Trying to do everything yourself is a surefire recipe for disaster. At some point, you’re going to need to delegate tasks or ask for help. And that’s OK!
Building a strong support network of family, friends, and colleagues can make it much easier to let go of perfectionism.
Knowing that you have people you can rely on will take some of the pressure off of you and help you feel more confident in your abilities.
8. Be Compassionate With Yourself
Perfectionists are often their own worst critics. If you’re constantly beating yourself up for not being perfect, it’s time to cut yourself some slack.
Instead of being hard on yourself, try to be more understanding and compassionate. Remember that everyone makes mistakes, so forgive yourself when you mess up, and then move on.
Showing yourself a little kindness will make it much easier to overcome perfectionism.
9. Let Go Of The Need For Control
One of the biggest aspects of wanting to be perfect is the need for control. If you’re constantly trying to control everything, it’s going to be difficult to break free.
Try to relax and allow yourself to be okay with imperfections. Remember that progress, not perfection, is what counts.
10. Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously
It’s important to be able to laugh at yourself and not take yourself too seriously. If you can’t do that, then you’re going to have a hard time enjoying life.
Life is too short and, what’s more, it’s full of ups and downs but there is no need to be so serious all the time. Learn to relax, roll with the punches and enjoy the ride.
If you can take things in stride and not get too stressed out, you’ll be much happier.
Conclusion On Let Go Of Perfectionism
Perfectionism can be a damaging mindset to have and it can lead to stress, anxiety and even depression. The truth is, there’s no such thing as perfect.
Everyone makes mistakes and everyone has flaws. Embracing your imperfections is an important part of living a happy and healthy life.
Overcoming perfectionism is a process, and it’s not going to happen overnight. But if you’re willing to put in the work, you can definitely make progress.
Do you struggle with perfectionism? What are some of the ways you’ve tried to overcome it? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
