Perfectionism is not striving for excellence. It's the fear of failure. It's the belief that your worth depends on how well you perform a task. Perfectionism doesn't lead to better results – it leads to anxiety, burnout, and procrastination ("If I can't do it perfectly, I won't do it at all").
"All or Nothing" - Dichotomous Thinking
For a perfectionist, there are only two options: 100% success or 100% failure. There is nothing in between. This is a cognitive trap. Real life is shades of gray.
How to Let Go?
- Aim for 80%: The Pareto principle. Doing something to 80% requires 20% of the effort. Pushing to 100% requires an additional 80% of the effort. Often, it's not worth it.
- Make mistakes on purpose: Send an email with a typo. Go to a meeting in a slightly wrinkled shirt. You will see that the world does not end.
- Limit time: "I have one hour for this task." This forces you to focus on what is most important.
Scientific Sources:
- Flett, G. L., & Hewitt, P. L. (2002). "Perfectionism: Theory, Research, and Treatment".
