8 Steps to Help Overcome Perfectionism

We live in a society where we strive for the idea of perfection. We want the perfect job, the perfect home, the perfect family, and to live happily ever after. 

It may be surprising to hear, but perfection doesn’t exist. Striving for perfection causes us to create unrealistic goals and realities for ourselves. When we fall short of those standards, it can be burdensome to our mental health.

Perfectionism is an issue that many people struggle with. Success is a great goal, but it shouldn't come at the expense of your well-being. Here are steps to take to overcome this idea of perfectionism. 

Acknowledge Your Perfectionism

The first step to making any type of change is to have awareness of the issue. Overcoming perfectionism can be gradual and require a certain amount of self-reflection. Take a look at yourself and your habits. Recognize any patterns in behavior and acknowledge those that indicate perfectionism. 

Identify Your Triggers

As you self-reflect, assess what types of things trigger your perfectionist tendencies. Are there certain situations or tasks that bring out your desire to be perfect? Is it more about your environment that sets it off? 

When you identify and understand your triggers, you can prepare yourself ahead of time and work to manage them. 

Set Realistic Goals

Goal setting can be a source of motivation, but it can also be a source of stress. When many people set goals, they aim for a perfect outcome. If you do struggle with perfectionism, it’s important to shift your focus and strive for progress instead. 

Set realistic goals that are achievable and manageable. While big picture thinking is important, it’s easy to become overwhelmed into a state of paralysis. Rather than having big, lofty goals, create smaller goals that are less likely to engulf you. 

Embrace Mistakes

Failure is a guaranteed part of life. Instead of letting it be a source of stress, shift your perspective. Try to understand that failure and mistakes are great opportunities for growth and development.

Making a mistake doesn’t define you or tarnish your abilities. Any failure is not a reflection of you as a person. It is a situational outcome that indicates an area for improvement.  

Limit Comparison

There is a saying that comparison is the thief of joy. Unfortunately, it’s a human tendency to compare yourself to others around you. Social media and oversharing habits don’t make that any easier to avoid. 

When dealing with perfectionism, it’s important to avoid comparing yourself to anyone else. Focus on your progress towards your own goals. Don’t let your achievements be overshadowed or lessened by what other people are doing. Your situation is unique to you. Embrace your story without benchmarking it against someone else’s. 

Practice Self-Compassion

If a friend or loved one began telling you about a personal experience that involved mistakes or failure, you would likely give them words of encouragement and help build them up. So why not give yourself that same grace? 

Prioritize your feelings. Treat yourself with kindness and understanding. When you’re feeling disappointed in your performance or an outcome, show yourself compassion and support. 

Challenge Your Inner Critic

Often in life, you’re your own worst critic. Perfectionism is fueled by that voice inside your head telling you you’re not good enough or you could be doing better. Try to challenge that inner critic. 

Are you being reasonable towards yourself? Would you have the same feelings towards someone else’s situation? Ask yourself why these are the standards you’re holding yourself to. Evaluate what evidence you have to back that thought process up. 

Seek Professional Help

Perfectionism can be a difficult barrier to overcome, especially when you’re doing it on your own. Attending therapy sessions is another way to dive a little deeper into the root of the issue and work on techniques to challenge this pattern. With the right tools and strategies, you may be able to find some relief. If you’re interested in learning more about therapy for professionals, contact us today.