Perfectionism Dilemma

Work

Whether you’re consciously aware of it or doing it unconsciously, the pursuit of immaculate results is a common blocker that many people experience. Constant high standards and fear of making mistakes can cause paralysis and setback, negatively impacting your creativity, productivity, self-esteem, and the realisation of your full potential.

Identify a task that you’re avoiding due to the burden of perfectionism. Write it down. If more than one comes to mind, choose the one that weighs on you the most.
Visualise and jot down how you’d feel once you’ve completed this task, even if it’s not yet perfect.
What is a small, manageable part of this task that you could tackle in the next 5 minutes? Choose something you can do without worrying about it being flawless.

It’s only natural to aim for high standards, but when the chase for perfection halts your progress, it’s time to pause and reassess. As the saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day”. Take a deep breath and remind yourself that it’s okay to start with rough versions; it doesn’t have to be perfect the first time. You’re positioned for continuous improvement.

Affirmations

I am committed to taking action, understanding that first attempts don’t have to be perfect.
Every tentative step I take is valuable, leading me towards my ultimate goal.
I measure growth by effort and gradual improvement, not by an elusive standard of perfection.

Follow up

Unrealistic perfectionism often stems from a fear of criticism or failure. By consciously focusing on creating an initial draft and then refining it, we gradually soften the voice of our inner critic.

The goal of this guide is to foster action over inaction. Shift your perspective from attaining instant perfection to making iterative improvements. Visualising the completion of a task, regardless of its imperfections, paves the way for tangible progress. See yourself building the first draft or version, then improving it, again and again.

Describing your task and its steps to someone else (or even just to paper) assists in breaking it into manageable pieces, thereby making the task less overwhelming, and reducing the intensity of perfectionist fear.

By jotting your thoughts and plans down, they materialise into a more concrete shape. This serves as a reminder that it’s okay to start with a rough draft. Each small step you take brings you closer to refinement. Remember your affirmations; you’re capable of embarking on a task and refining it as you progress.