Perfectionism
5 Strategies to Overcome the Dangers of Excessive Perfectionism
"Guy, I can't do this. It's not perfect," said Ajoke, frustrated as she gave up again after another attempt.
"Ajoke, what do you mean?" asked her friend. "It looks like a great design to me."
"No, it's not good enough. See, the alignment isn't symmetrical and the icon is uneven. It's a mess," replied Ajoke, sending a crying emoji to her friend via Whatsapp messenger.
"Sweetheart, perfectionism is not about producing perfect results. It's about striving for excellence and putting in your best effort. It's okay to make mistakes and to have room for improvement. In fact, it's a natural part of learning and growing," her friend explained gently.
Her struggle with perfectionism is a common one. Many people, like Ajoke, hold themselves to impossibly high standards and become overwhelmed when they are unable to meet them. In this newsletter, we will explore the impact of perfectionism and how to overcome it.
Perfectionism is the belief that one must achieve perfection in all areas of life, or that anything less than perfection is unacceptable. It is characterized by a relentless pursuit of perfection, an inability to accept mistakes or imperfections, and an excessive focus on details.
While a healthy level of perfectionism can be motivating and lead to success, excessive perfectionism can be detrimental. It can lead to anxiety, stress, and low self-esteem, as well as interfere with one's ability to enjoy life. Perfectionists may have difficulty completing tasks or projects, as they may feel that they must meet impossibly high standards.
So how can we overcome perfectionism? Here are some strategies that may be helpful:
Set realistic goals: Instead of striving for perfection, focus on setting realistic goals for yourself. This can help you feel more successful and motivated.
Practice self-compassion: Instead of beating yourself up for your mistakes or imperfections, try to be kind and understand yourself. Remind yourself that everyone makes mistakes and that it's okay to be imperfect.
Learn to accept mistakes: Mistakes are a natural part of life and can be opportunities for learning and growth. Try to embrace mistakes as a learning opportunity rather than dwelling on them.
Seek therapy: A mental health professional can help you explore the underlying causes of your perfectionism and work with you to develop strategies to overcome it.
Practice gratitude: Focusing on the things you are grateful for can help you put your mistakes and imperfections into perspective.
To overcome perfectionism, it is important to set realistic goals, practice self-compassion, learn to accept mistakes, seek therapy, and practice gratitude. By letting go of the need for perfection, individuals can improve their mental health and overall well-being.
What are some strategies that have helped you overcome perfectionism? Share in the comments below.