You’ve heard it before: You shouldn’t let perfection get in the way of progress. But you also want to excel at work, and perfection may seem like the best pathway for career growth. But perfection can be a barrier to getting ahead – in some surprising ways.
What is a perfectionist?
Someone who strives for immaculate work and has unrealisable high standards and objectives for oneself. Even when something is done properly, perfectionists have a tendency to be quite critical of their work. Perfectionism that is constructive or “adaptive” in tiny doses can be beneficial.
Excellence vs. Perfectionism
People frequently conflate greatness and perfectionism.
We hold ourselves to a high standard when we strive for greatness. And generally speaking, having high expectations is not a bad thing. In actuality, it could be advantageous. High standards motivate us to make changes, find solutions and produce high-quality work.
But perfectionism is an impossible ideal with no space for flaws and no tolerance for errors.
Why do people chase perfection?
For some people, the pursuit of perfectionism can be a never-ending cycle. No matter how successful they are, they always feel they could have done better. This can be due to several factors, including a fear of failure or a need for approval from others.
Perfectionists often set unrealistic standards for themselves, and as a result, they are constantly disappointed. This can lead to feelings of anxiety and inadequacy.
Additionally, perfectionists tend to be highly self-critical and have difficulty enjoying their accomplishments. While the need to be perfect can be motivating, it can also be detrimental to one’s mental health.
If not kept in check, perfectionism can lead to burnout and depression. Therefore, it is important for perfectionists to learn how to set realistic goals and accept that mistakes are part of life.
You can achieve greatness without striving to be perfect
In today’s competitive job market, it’s easy to feel you have to be perfect to succeed. However, the reality is that mistakes are a part of life, and they can be helpful in the long run.
For example, making mistakes can help you learn from your mistakes and become a better leader. In addition, it can also build trust and relationships with your peers. If you’re always mistakes-free, people may think you’re not human and may be less likely to trust or work with you. So don’t be afraid to make a few mistakes – it might ultimately help your career!
While staying efficient and productive at work is important, people don’t need to try hard to be perfect. Everyone has their unique skills and abilities, and as long as they’re using them to the best of their ability, that’s all that matters. Of course, there will always be times when things don’t go according to plan, but that’s just part of life.
The important thing is to learn from mistakes and keep moving forward. After all, nobody is perfect, and that’s perfectly okay.