By Linda Burns
Linda Burns has over 15 years of experience as an Executive Assistant and PA in both the US and the UK, working for large international corporations as well as small businesses. She lives in Shropshire, England with her husband and their three cats.
Do you consider yourself a “perfectionist" Do you find yourself spending far too much time on one project, going over it again and again to make sure it's perfect? Are you exhausting yourself in the pursuit of perfection?
We all work hard to deliver the best possible results but unless you work in a profession where a mistake can cost lives, or a catastrophic disaster could ensue, should you try so hard to be “perfect”?
What is Perfectionism?
Perfectionism is actually a set of self-defeating thought patterns that push you to try to achieve unrealistically high goals.
Some perfectionists work on developing their skills. Their standards are set high and tend to rise, and they approach work with optimism, pleasure, and a desire to improve. This is clearly a healthy type of perfectionism.
But there are others who are never satisfied with their achievements and work standards. If something isn't perfect, they may experience fear of failure, doubt, unhappiness, and other painful emotions. There is a difference between perfectionism and a healthy quest for success.
When Does Perfectionism Get Out Of Control?
When it gets out of hand, perfectionism can hold you back, both personally and professionally. Even your health can be affected – issues such as migraines, depression, anxiety and increased levels of stress can all be traced back to an obsessive desire to be absolutely letter-perfect.
Self-esteem
If your self-worth is tied too strongly into what your achievements at work are, and if you are never satisfied, you will never be able to live up to the artificially high standards you may have set for yourself. If you haven’t set goals for yourself before, now would be a good time to do so. Review your goals once they have been set, to ensure that they are realistic and achievable.
Procrastination
If you are a perfectionist, you might not be able to begin a project until you have found the ‘perfect’ to approach it. Because of this procrastination, perfectionists often fall behind on their work. This can harm your reputation and cause you to miss important deadlines.
How to Tame the Perfectionist Monster
Challenge Your Behaviour
List everything you must do to be ‘perfect’. For example, at work, you must check your work multiple times before you turn it in. If you feel that one tiny mistake ruins your credibility, and others will think badly of you, put your work in a real-world context. Are you a highly-skilled cardiologist whose patient’s lives are literally in your hands? If not, would lives be lost if one mistake was somehow found in your work?
Identify Your Beliefs
Try to complete one assignment with only one check! Now, write down why you need to check and re-check work – why must this action be done? Write down why you believe this action must be perfect.
For instance, imagine that you never delegate tasks to your assistant, even though this is why you hired him. You often stay late at work to finish tasks that he could have done. You don't delegate tasks, because you believe he'll do them incorrectly, and you'll look bad. Instead, try delegating one non-urgent task to your assistant. Once he’s completed it, review it only once to make sure that he completed it correctly, and turn it in.
Evaluate Your Results
Once you successfully challenge the perfectionist behaviour that is holding you back, look at what happened. Chances are, there weren't any negative consequences. What did you learn?
Keep this thought in mind: It is better to strive for excellence rather than perfection!
Are you a perfectionist who struggles with trying to hard? Have you found a way to be perfect without burning out? Feel free to share your thoughts.
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