Perfectionism is often regarded as a virtue, especially at work, where your high standards ensure that everything you deliver is done thoroughly and to the best of your ability.
But the devil really is in the details: “there’s also the dark side of perfectionism”, says Megan Berry at Brazen Careerist.
Perfectionists are prone to spend more time getting things done and their obsessive tendencies can be difficult for more mellow peers to tolerate. Worse, they may talk themselves out of doing something (learning new skills) because they are afraid of falling short of their own exacting standards.
Berry, herself a perfectionist, lists five good reasons for ditching your precision approach to life and allowing yourself some latitude on occasion.
I’ve changed the order slightly, starting with the obvious one:
Perfection is unattainable. Repeat this like a mantra.
You’re wasting time. If you’re a perfectionist, this alone should bother you. Can you achieve perfect productivity if you’re obsessing over comparatively minor details?
Perfectionism leads to stress. According to WebMD, stress levels rise higher among perfectionists when they are in trying situations, leaving perfectionists “exhausted” by pressure and prone to other illnesses. It’s also been linked to depression.
It’s making you afraid of mistakes. This is holding you back, stopping you from taking action and achieving things you want. Start to fear your regret of missed opportunities more than making a mistake.
It’s blocking your happiness. Life will never be perfect. Perfectionists defer happiness indefinitely if they keep promising themselves they’ll be happy if X or Y falls into place. Berry quotes a study that finds lottery winners revert to their previous state of happiness within a year.
It’s great to aim high, but don’t become so intent on getting every detail right that you lose sight of your priorities. Follow Berry’s advice and practise that perfectionism part time.
