In a world that celebrates flawless Instagram feeds and meticulously curated lives, the pursuit of perfection can feel like both a badge of honor and a heavy burden. Many strive for an ideal that often remains just out of reach, leading to stress, anxiety, and even burnout.
But what if the key to success lies not in achieving perfection but in embracing imperfection? The truth is, overcome perfectionism isn’t just about lowering your standards; it’s about redefining what success means to you.
Imagine waking up each day free from the paralyzing fear of making mistakes—where progress is valued over perfection and creativity flourishes without judgment.
By learning how to overcome perfectionism, you can unlock new levels of productivity and self-acceptance while fostering healthier relationships with yourself and others.
In this article, we will explore practical strategies to break free from the chains of unattainable ideals, empowering you to live more authentically and joyfully.
What is perfectionism and how to get over perfectionism
Wanting to do your best is normal and positive. However, there is a big difference between high-achievers and perfectionists. Both want to succeed, but high-achievers are driven to do their best, while perfectionists are often driven by fear and feelings of not being good enough.
Perfectionism means setting very high personal standards and being overly critical of yourself. You may feel that everything you do must be perfect, with no mistakes. You worry about how others judge you. This way of thinking can harm your mental health.
Perfectionism pushes you to chase impossible goals, leading to stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, and depression. It can also create problems in your relationships. It can stop you from reaching your goals because it often leads to procrastination. Plus, it can be exhausting as you push yourself to achieve the impossible.
Many people struggle with perfectionism, especially in today’s competitive culture. Research shows that perfectionistic tendencies are increasing, particularly among younger generations. If you are a perfectionist, you are not alone.
7 strategies to overcome perfectionism
There are simple 7 strategies to overcome perfectionism
Develop an iteration mentality
Many perfectionists believe that everything must be perfect before they start. They think they need to know everything and have everything in place before taking action. This mindset often leads to procrastination or inaction because nothing can be perfect from the beginning. I know many people who have wanted to start a business for years but haven’t because they are still preparing.
I also know people who want to publish a book, but it remains unfinished because they think it isn’t perfect yet.
To move past this perfectionism, you need to adopt an iteration mentality. This means accepting that things can improve over time. The term iteration comes from technology and refers to new versions of software or hardware.
For example, when Facebook first launched, it had many bugs. The first iPhone often froze and needed to be rebooted. However, with each update, these products got better.
Think of yourself in the same way. You may not be perfect now, but you can improve little by little. Take action, put yourself out there, and keep working to make things better. It doesn’t have to be perfect right away.
Focus on small steps
Aim high, but don’t rush to get there. Dream big, but stay grounded in reality. Sometimes, we focus too much on our perfect vision and the big goal, forgetting to take small steps to achieve it.
Keep your main goal in mind, but focus on your next step. Worrying about the end goal can highlight the distance between where you are now and where you want to be, which can be discouraging.
By setting and achieving smaller goals on your way to the big ones, you stay motivated and feel a sense of accomplishment.
Love the process
Overcome perfectionism by enjoying the journey. Perfectionists often focus too much on the final outcome.
When you only think about the results, it’s easy to feel discouraged and give up, making it harder to reach your idea of perfection. If you want to get fit, enjoy the process. If you want to become a good writer, appreciate the journey.
To help with this, choose goals that excite you, build daily habits, and connect with others who share your goals.
Challenge your perfectionist thoughts
The way we think can significantly hinder our ability to break free from perfectionism. Often, our inner dialogue criticizes us, suggesting that we are not performing adequately, that we fall short of expectations, or that our efforts lack value.
Battling these detrimental thoughts can be particularly challenging since they originate from within ourselves and often feel like undeniable truths. To move past perfectionism, it’s essential to confront and question these beliefs. When you catch yourself engaging in negative self-talk, counter it with uplifting affirmations.
For instance, you might remind yourself that while things may not be perfect right now, they have the potential to improve, or acknowledge your worth by stating that you are enough and doing your best. Keeping a list of positive affirmations handy can be beneficial during moments of negativity.
Here are a few examples:
- I possess everything I need to succeed,
- I embrace my flaws,
- and I believe in my ability to reach my goals.
Fail on purpose
Failing is scary, especially for perfectionists. They fear looking foolish or falling short. This fear drives many to strive for perfection. The best way to overcome this fear is to fail on purpose. You might wonder, Why would I want to fail?
The answer is that failing helps you get over perfectionism. The more you fail, the more you get used to it and learn from it. Failure doesn’t mean you are a bad person; it means you have a chance to improve.
Many successful people have failed more than others. They learned and grew from their failures, which is why they seem so perfect now.
To fail on purpose, try things where you might not succeed but can learn from the experience. For example, join an art contest even if you can’t draw well, or audition for a play without any acting training.
Yes, it will be scary, and you might lose, but that’s the point. Getting used to failing will help you stop fearing imperfection.
Learn to accept and love yourself
Being a perfectionist often means you struggle with self-love, self-esteem, and self-worth. You might have areas to improve, but you are great just as you are.
We tend to focus on our flaws instead of our strengths. Take time each day to accept who you are and where you are in life. Be kind to yourself, even if you’re not perfect. Accept yourself, even if you’ve made mistakes. Love yourself, even when you fail.
Let it be
Overcoming perfectionism takes time. If you’re working on something and it’s not perfect, pause. Instead of trying to make it perfect, step away for a while.
This might be difficult, but try it. Come back to it later. If someone else makes a mistake and you feel the urge to fix it, resist that urge. Let it be. You don’t have to let go of everything at once, so start small.
Conclusion
overcoming perfectionism is a transformative journey that allows individuals to embrace their authentic selves and foster healthier relationships with their work and personal lives. By recognizing the detrimental effects of unrealistic standards, we can take proactive steps towards cultivating self-compassion and setting achievable goals.
Engaging in mindfulness practices and reframing our mindset around failure can empower us to view setbacks as opportunities for growth rather than reflections of our worth. Remember, progress is far more valuable than perfection; it’s about taking small steps toward improvement rather than seeking an unattainable ideal.
Embrace imperfection today and unlock your potential for a more fulfilling life!