I’ve been having many conversations lately with friends about the toll perfectionism takes on life. Perfectionism is one of my saboteurs. I talked about strategies to slay saboteurs in this article.
Perfectionism is control’s cousin. It’s one way we cope with our need to maintain control. For me, it comes in the form of needing a space free of clutter, clean counters, a made bed, completing everything I start, and often, not creating something for fear of not doing it perfectly.
It’s that last piece that holds you back from taking a chance; a chance to learn, to grow, to do something great, to make a difference, or to feel incredibly fulfilled.
One of the many lessons 2020 has taught me is to seize the opportunity, not dismiss it for fear of failing, making a mistake, or not being perfect.
Here are four ways to free yourself of perfectionism:
Be aware. The first step to making any behavioral change is to become aware of the emotions and your reactions. It is half the battle. When you become aware, you have control, and you can choose different behavior.
Be curious. If your default is to shut the idea down immediately, stop and ask questions. You’re not committing to anything. You’re merely informing yourself so you can make a more educated decision.
Be open to failure and making mistakes. It takes courage, but you can do it! Ask yourself what’s the worst thing that can happen, and then what would you do if that should happen? You might find that the worst thing is something you can live with.
Be open to the possibilities. Once you’ve figured out the worst thing that could happen, ask yourself, what’s the best thing that could happen? What might you learn? How will you feel when..?
From one perfectionist to another, it’s ok. It’s part of the secret sauce that makes you the amazing human you are. It’s what makes you successful. Try using these strategies to bring a little balance to your perfectionist ways, and let me know how you make out.
P.S. Here are 7 things that inspired me this week:
My favorite insta post this week, purple.
A simple reminder.
I was sad to hear this lady passed this week.
Do you need a good laugh? Check out this TikTok.
If you need some ideas on self-care, here are 4 good ones.
When communities come together amazing things can happen.
This woman is a total and complete inspiration.
Photo by Bernard Hermant on Unsplash