Allegedly perfectionism is often viewed as a virtue. I’m not sure I’ve ever talked to anyone with that perspective, but who knows? Researching via Google can be an adventure sometimes. Either way, virtue or a vice, we’re all guilty of chasing perfectionism from time to time and it can be a crippling obstacle in the path leading to personal growth and contentment. Chasing perfection leads to stress, anxiety, and sometimes procrastination. By adopting certain strategies and shifting our mindset, we can learn to embrace imperfection leading to more positive results and unlocking our full potential.
Strive for Excellence of Process, Not Perfection:
Perfectionism is built on the foundational belief that anything less than perfect is failure. This is an impossible hurdle to clear, especially when we’re starting something new. Instead, focus on striving for excellence of process. Craft a plan of attack and attack. Make the needed adjustments as you’re learning. You can find tune your process and dial it in on the fly. Striving for excellence of process creates room for growth, learning, and improvement. We have to embrace the journey of becoming better rather than fixating on flawless outcomes. Remember, we don’t have control over outcomes. We only have control of our actions. Embrace the journey, celebrate small victories, and learn from setbacks. By immersing ourselves in the process, we cultivate resilience and develop a deeper understanding of our strengths and weaknesses.
Try, Tweak, Try Again:
Nothing wrong with failing, but do everything you can to fail forward. Perfectionists often fear failure and avoid taking risks. How are we supposed to learn anything or make any progress if we’re scared of pushing the envelope and taking some risks. Boats and harbors and not being made for that you know? Embrace experimentation. Understand that setbacks are not indicative of personal failure but rather opportunities for growth and refinement. Embrace a mindset of continuous improvement by trying, tweaking, and trying again.
Practice Gratitude:
Practicing gratitude can be a powerful counterposition to perfectionism (and a million other things). Cultivate appreciation for the journey, the lessons learned, and the progress made. Gratitude shifts our focus from what's lacking to what's abundant, fostering a sense of fulfillment and contentment. When we practice gratitude we keep perspective and avoid the victim mentality that hobbles so many people. We keep an internal locus of control which in turn keeps us motivated because we know it’s up to us.
Practice Letting Go:
Perfectionists often struggle with letting go of control and accepting imperfections. Embrace the idea that perfection is unattainable and that imperfection is a natural part of the human experience. Practice letting go of unrealistic expectations and embrace the beauty of imperfection. If you’ve ever read the biography of any prolific producer, say Ben Franklin for instance, you know that he/they/whoever did not expect perfection from the jump. They tried stuff and failed. Then, they let it go, AFTER they learned from it. Failure is not an indictment on your quality of person. You’re not less than because you didn’t nail whatever it was you were doing on the first try. That’s asinine isn’t it? If our best friend said anything like that about themselves we would have none of it. Why do we think it’s ok to set that standard for ourselves?
Set Time Limits:
Perfectionism can lead to endless tinkering and procrastination. Set realistic time limits for tasks and projects. This not only fosters productivity but also prevents perfectionists from getting lost in the pursuit of unattainable perfection. Remember, done is better than perfect. Now, I’m not saying you should ship trash products. I’m just saying you have to eventually “ship it”. This comes from Seth Godin. “The only purpose of starting is to finish. And while our products are never truly finished, they must ship.” Justin Chancellor, bassist for the band TOOL, talks about how hard it is for the band to finally agree that a record is done and ready for release. They’re constantly trying to make one more refinement. Might be why there was a 13 year gap between albums?
Show Self-Compassion:
Perfectionists are often their own harshest critics. Cultivate self-compassion by treating yourself with kindness and understanding. Recognize that you are human, and like everyone else, you are imperfect. Embrace your flaws and mistakes as opportunities for growth and learning. See earlier posts about “Evil Caddie” and taking the advice you’d give to a friend. Expect a lot from yourself of course. But be realistic.
Overcoming perfectionism requires a shift in mindset and some adoption of new strategies. By embracing imperfection, striving for excellence of process, practicing gratitude, letting go, setting time limits, and showing self-compassion, we can escape the negative momentum of perfectionism and reach our full potential. It's not about being perfect, but rather about embracing the journey to becoming the best version of ourselves.
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