In a previous article, we talked about whether perfectionism is a beneficial or detrimental trait in a remote setup. We’ve discovered that although it has some benefits, a perfectionist mindset can also adversely affect your productivity and health, such as anxiety and stress.
To help you avoid this, and to cultivate a healthier work ethic, here are eight tips you can use to overcome perfectionism. But before we proceed, let’s first discuss the causes of perfectionism and perfectionist traits.
Perfectionism originates from an early age, when we realize that people value you based on your accomplishments and achievements. This causes people to appreciate themselves based on others’ approval, making them vulnerable to criticism and opinions.
Common perfectionist traits include:
- Not starting a task unless you’re sure you can accomplish it.
- You view the result as the most vital part of the task.
- In your mind, you haven’t finished your job until it’s completely flawless.
- You take more time to do your tasks than your co-workers.
Know Yourself.
Know Yourself.To overcome your perfectionism, you must acknowledge that you are a perfectionist. By realizing that you have perfectionist traits, you can take steps to mitigate them. It won’t be easy; nothing healthy ever is. But given time, you’ll see small changes in your mindset in the long run.
The best way to know yourself is through self-reflection. Take time from your busy schedule to ask yourself about your thoughts regarding perfectionism and how it affects your work ethic.
You can also include the pros and cons of thinking like this. And don’t forget to note your thoughts so you will remember them.
Look on the Bright Side of Your Work.
Being a perfectionist often leads you to obsess over the negative aspects of your work. It’s never concise, accurate, detailed, etc., enough for you. Although it helps motivate you to improve yourself, it can also cause you to be constantly anxious and frustrated with your work.
Because of this, why not be kinder to yourself and your work? It’s hard, but try to see what you did right in your task alongside those you need to improve on. After all, knowing that you’re doing a good job is a much better motivator than the fear of not doing enough.
Set Reasonable Goals.
Striving for perfection in itself isn’t a bad thing. It becomes a problem when you impose overly ambitious goals on yourself that you know you can’t accomplish on time or with your current skills.
One of the best ways to overcome perfectionism is to give yourself achievable goals first, then work your way to your dream goal. Getting to know yourself first will be a big help in accomplishing this.
This setup achieves two things: One, it gives you a sense of accomplishment and confidence whenever you finish your tasks. Two, taking baby steps will eventually lead you to the goals you want to set for yourself in the long run.
Appreciate Your Failures.
No matter how skilled you are, there will be times when you will make mistakes. It’s just a fact that we aren’t perfect, no matter how much we try. Besides, not experiencing failure also leads to stagnation, as it’s clear you’re not challenging yourself enough.
So instead of seeing your mistakes and failures as final, why not see them as learning opportunities for you to get better? Failures are a great chance to grow and develop new skills that can benefit your career or life.
And what better way to practice this than by getting a new hobby? Unless you’re THAT good, you won’t be able to become good at this on your first day. However, each successive failure will help you slowly become better at it.
Avoid Procrastination.
This may come as a surprise, but perfectionists are known procrastinators. They’ll try to postpone doing their tasks until they think they can do them perfectly. However, this delay will only cause pressure on you, as you’ll have a shorter time to finish it before the deadline.
So if you want to overcome perfectionism, you should realize that the best moment to start your work is always now. That’s why having a rough draft or plan for your project is better than nothing. And as the saying goes: “a good plan executed today is better than a perfect one tomorrow.”
Never Take Criticism Personally.
Another common perfectionist trait is the inability to handle criticism, even if it’s constructive. They see it as an insult to their skills, and thus they will try to defend themselves vehemently or obsess over their mistakes.
However, criticism enables you to become better at your job, as well as enable your co-workers to find your work. So calm down; not everyone’s out to get you for your error. They’re just trying to help you become better.
Find Joy in Your Work.
Is seeking perfection the only thing that satisfies you in your work? One way to overcome your perfectionism is to change your approach to your work.
One way to do so is to ask yourself: “Why are you working in the first place? Besides perfecting your tasks, what else in your job do you find to be fun?”
So instead of focusing on perfection, you should focus on the other things that make working fun for you. Your work doesn’t have to be perfect so long as you enjoy doing it, right?
Avoid Interacting With Negative Influences.
A primary source of the pressure that leads to perfectionism is outside influences. These influences include people, social media, and shows that promote unhealthy perfectionism.
Cutting these sources off is one of the best ways to overcome perfectionism. You should limit or even avoid watching shows or people you find fuelling your perfectionism. And instead, find alternatives that promote a healthier work ethic.
Do Better, Not Perfect.
Being a perfectionist is not a bad thing. However, if you let it dominate your mentality and negatively affect your work and life, perfectionism becomes a problem. May these eight tips to overcome perfectionism help you develop a healthier work ethic.
If you’re looking for an opportunity to apply these tips in an online job, head to Remote Staff for work opportunities. Who knows, maybe you’ll find your dream job here. Good luck!
