Is perfectionism holding you back? If so, maybe this will sound familiar because we all do it: You know, compare ourselves to social media influencers with hundreds of thousands of followers. Or try on 20 outfits to find the perfect look. Or resist launching a new idea because it’s not exactly right yet.
But, you might be thinking, Isn’t it a good thing to have high standards, to pay attention to details, and to try to be your best self?
Yes – but not at the expense of taking risks, making moves, and enjoying life. Perfectionism prevents you from having a growth mindset, meaning that at every setback you’ll question your competency rather than forging ahead through challenges.
For example, if you dream of launching a business or creative brand but can’t quite seem to pull the trigger, ask yourself if perfectionism is holding you back from ever getting started at all. Ask yourself if minor things might be getting in the way of your dreams. If they are, you need to let go of those things ASAP.
Here are a few things to keep in mind if perfectionism is holding you back.
Perfectionism is self-sabotage
One definition of perfectionism is “to regard anything short of perfect as unacceptable.” Does that sound (uncomfortably) familiar?
To reach your goals, you can have high standards while still understanding that true perfection is impossible. If you’re afraid to do anything until you can do it perfectly, guess what? You’ll never go after what you want.
To err is human
Failure isn’t necessarily a bad thing. When you have a growth mindset, failures are learning opportunities and indications that you need a bit more practice to master whatever it is you’re trying to achieve.
And sometimes failure can lead to greater success — scientific experiments and artistic creativity definitely benefit from a healthy outlook on failure. For example, think of Thomas Edison’s famous quote: “I haven’t failed. I’ve simply tried ten thousand ways that don’t work.”
You’re your own worst critic
Think back to a mistake you’ve made in the past. Odds are, while it might have felt like the end of the world to you at the time, most people around you didn’t even notice your mistake (or didn’t care). That time you gave a presentation with spinach in your teeth? The audience was tuned in to your awesome content.
Your complete awkwardness on a date? The object of your affection thought you were funny and offbeat.
Don’t automatically assume that people will judge you or criticize you if you make a mistake. Mistakes make us human and help us recognize that we don’t always have it all figured out – and that’s okay. No one does.
Bottom line
If you think perfectionism is holding you back, the takeaway here is to just do it. When you’ve found your passion and you want to build something out of it, do it.
Work hard and seek out advice and feedback, by all means, but also be willing to release imperfect products and ideas into the world and build on your failures. Because the alternative is to not do anything – and that’s much worse than imperfection.
