Perfectionism doesn’t have to undermine your confidence, drain your energy, and bring your productivity to a frustrating halt.
In fact, the good news is that you can counteract the perfectionist messages you carry with you. With practice and consistency, your wise inner voice can really overcome the useless pestering of your Inner Perfectionist.
Do you wonder what I mean? Well, let’s look at a couple of examples.
Here now are two perfectionist messages that may sound familiar. Please read the posts and then try the answers to see the size. I think you will find them useful!
Perfectionist message: ‘Not yet perfect’.
If this is something you frequently tell yourself, continue with these questions:
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What do you consider perfect?
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It’s possible?
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Through whose eyes are you seeing this?
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Are you anticipating how?
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Are your expectations realistic or inflated?
Answer from Your Wise Inner Voice: ‘Strive for excellence instead of perfection.’
Being able to really take this in is a huge relief! And it has the added benefit of being true. When you let go of perfectionism, you begin to experience the joy of achievement. As your self-confidence and sense of satisfaction in your job grow, the illusion of perfection becomes less and less attractive.
Perfectionist message: ‘I know I can do better’.
You may have certain areas of weakness, and it is wise to recognize these and work to strengthen them. But this is a place where endless time can also be wasted. How many times have you found yourself adjusting something until you couldn’t even see it clearly anymore?
Response from Your Wise Inner Voice: ‘I will ask for feedback.’
This answer is powerful in 3 important ways:
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Others can see mistakes and oversights with new eyes, so if you really is something to be ‘improved’ they will probably see.
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Letting this slide and choosing to delegate frees up your time so you can move on to your next task.
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The more you open up and accept the points of view of others, the less you will fear their responses. This is a very powerful way to combat perfectionism.
Think of perfectionism as a bully that saps your energy and sends you into unproductive paralysis. When you stand up to that bully and celebrate your power to be productive, you’re changing your life in a very fundamental and exciting way…and at the same time, you’re also finding more time for what’s most important to you!
So, celebrate each step as you improve your productivity and stop placing unfair demands on yourself all the time.
