How to Overcome Perfectionism at Work

By Rose-Anne Uwague

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    Perfectionism in the workplace

    Do you constantly feel like you don’t have enough time to get things done?

    Do you work on projects and sometimes feel like it is not “good enough”?

    Do you often edit, tweak, or rework things to the point where it’s difficult to declare a project “finished”?

    As a Productivity Coach and Life Strategist, my clients often share that they don’t have enough time to complete their projects. What I realized is that while sometimes they mismanaged their time or had a full schedule, another factor is that the perfectionist mindset is that the project is never “complete.”

     

    What perfectionism is and what it is not…

    Perfectionism strives for flawlessness and is one of the ways the Imposter Syndrome manifests. It promotes overthinking and analysis paralysis and is often driven by a fear of failure, rejection, or  insecurity.

    I am a firm believer in excellence and doing a job well. I have often over-delivered on my client’s expectations while understanding that not over-delivering is not under-delivering. There is however a difference between perfectionism and setting high realistic standards. Many perfectionists cling to this behavior even when it’s counterproductive.

    The pressure to appear flawless has turned into an epidemic with the onset of social media, celebrity influencers, and high pressure demands. Many people mistakenly believe that perfectionism does not lead to more happiness or success; but unrealistic and unmet expectations are likely to lead to frustration, anxiety, and disappointment. 

    The problem with perfectionism is that like anything else taken to the extreme, it becomes toxic and harmful. Perfectionists often have an inner critic and tend to overburden themselves.

     

    Three Steps to Overcoming Perfectionism At Work

    #1 – Recognize the root and the harms of perfectionism

    Finding out the root cause of a mindset or behavior is a critical step of managing its impact. Pay attention to your inner thoughts. Are you critical of yourself or others? Can you think back to a time when someone was highly critical of your work, output, or performance?

    Perfectionism can easily lead to overwhelm, burnout, and frustration. Beat perfectionism before it beats you! When you realize and acknowledge that the flawless veneer of perfectionism is actually harmful, you can become more intentional about changing the mindset to engage in more sustainable behaviors.

    #2 – Receive clarity on expectations 

    The extreme perfectionist sets the bar really high. By asking clarifying questions and setting expectations, you can set yourself up for success. Maybe an urgent project with an approaching deadline requires a response within 15 minutes, but probably not in 15 seconds. Get clarity on expectations so you can manage them accordingly. If you find yourself getting caught up in analysis paralysis, collaborate with someone to receive feedback and ensure that you delegate tasks that are outside of your scope of work.

    #3 – Redefine excellence and take action 

    Remember that perfectionism is a moving target. What seemed to be good enough in one moment quickly becomes inadequate. When you are laser focused on making everything perfect, it becomes counterproductive. 

    Try out some productivity tips and then choose a strategy that works for you. Are you more productive when you stick to a schedule or set an internal deadline? Do you work well with a timer or a body double (think human sticky note acting as an accountability buddy) or do you need to rewire your thinking to improve your mindset?

    Focus on getting things done because remember done is better than perfect and perfection is an illusion.

     

    To recap, remember the three Rs of overcoming perfectionism:

    • Recognize the root and the harms of perfectionism
    • Receive clarity on expectations 
    • Redefine excellence and take action 

     

    Need Help?

    If you struggle with perfectionism, give yourself grace and celebrate tiny wins. The process of undoing the excessive rumination and perfectionist mindset is just that – a process. It isn’t a one time initiative, it’s a journey. 

    Don’t go it alone! If you need help or support, ask a friend or colleague to be your accountability buddy as you shift your perspective. 

    If you are looking for more insight on perfectionism, feel free to complete this perfectionism diary!  If you would like a complimentary call with a productivity coach who can customize support for your journey, send an email to ignite@roseanneuwague.com and you will be contacted within 24 hours!

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