The 3 Xs for Handling Perfectionism in Your Career

The term perfectionism can bring to mind a number of different ideas, both positive and negative. For some, the idea of perfectionism means the pristine, the orderly, the excessively-tidily-packaged lifestyle where everything falls into place with a ribbon on top (read: expertly posed and stylised selfies on social media). For others, perfectionism is best thought of as a struggle to meet grandiose personal goals and fulfil ambitions, to exceed expectations and excel beyond measure.

By default, the fact that perfectionism is so difficult to define, so challenging to pin down, is no coincidence. It’s not too bold a statement to say that the concept of being perfect is unattainable and truly impossible; after all, what is perfect and what does perfect look like? You could get hundreds of different answers to these questions.

American research professor, Brené Brown, has devoted years to exploring the concept of shame, vulnerability, and the yearning to belong. In her own words:

“Perfectionism is a self-destructive and addictive belief system that fuels this primary thought: ‘If I look perfect, live perfectly, and do everything perfectly, I can avoid or minimise the painful feelings of shame, judgment, and blame.’” – Brené Brown

This desire to reach perfection is, in itself, an excruciating challenge and exposes any number of vulnerabilities. We’re currently living in a culture that is obsessed with perfection, and a culture where we are afraid to fail. Whilst the quest for perfection can really knock you back in all areas of life, seeking perfection in the workplace can be particularly debilitating.

Let’s explore three ‘Xs’ that can help you move beyond the crippling path of perfectionism…

#1 Exclude (Negative Thought Processes)

Searching for perfection is like looking for a polar bear in a snowstorm; the more you battle with the snow (read: your inner thoughts), the more likely you are to slip on the ice. Yearning for perfection can hold us back enormously and actually hinder our own progress and success. French philosopher, Voltaire, famously quoted:

“Perfect is the enemy of the good.” – Voltaire

Stemming from this came the Nirvana Fallacy of the 1700s, which scrutinised the concept of perfectionism and detailed how, in the words of psychologist Dr Alex Lickerman, “obsession with perfection can paralyse”. There are two parts to the Nirvana Fallacy:

1. You assume that there’s always a ‘better’ or ‘ideal’ solution to a problem.
2. You refuse to act or meet a conclusion until this ‘perfect solution’ is found.

Striving for perfection involves a fear of encountering imperfection. That’s a fear of mistakes, failures, and the possibility that the work you produce might not be up to scratch or meet certain high standards. Breaking down this barrier and moving beyond the rocky path of perfectionism begins with excluding negative thought processes.

If we were all too afraid of failure and the imperfect, nothing would ever be achieved, nothing ever tried, no experiments made, no breakthroughs uncovered. Everyone is guilty of listening to their inner critic; for some that voice is what fuels us, and for others it’s what paralyses us.

Paying close attention to your inner thoughts gives you the chance to factor in a reality check and make changes for the better. Challenge any barriers or doubts you encounter and ask yourself why these are issues. Be honest with yourself by answering the following three questions:

• Are these doubts based on evidence or my own personal interpretation?
• What’s the worst that could happen? Is this likely?
• Is this something that will matter still one/five/ten years down the line?

More often than not, these questions will put an issue into perspective and help you to reconstruct any negative thought processes impacting your decision-making and action-taking abilities.

#2 Explore (The Concept of Good Enough)

Once you’ve had the chance to analyse your own self-doubts, you can readily explore the concept of good enough. Former professional athlete and self-titled ‘reformed perfectionist’ delves into the idea of ‘good enough’ in her enlightening TED Talk: Perfectionism Holds Us Back. Here’s Why.

Haversat argues that we do not cast doubt on perfection being an illusion, but instead “we think that perfect is not only possible but probable”. She goes on to explain that, the more desperate we are to seek perfection, the less likely we are to achieve anything.

Many psychologists recommend that self-confessed perfectionists begin practising being imperfect and wholeheartedly embracing the concept of ‘good enough’, in order to detach themselves from the vicious cycle that striving for perfect brings. Psychologist and director of the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy, Dr Robert Leahy, offers the following advice:

“Take a day and do everything imperfectly — but well. This is what I call ‘successful imperfectionism.’ Practicing imperfectionism can help you realise that the world doesn’t end when things aren’t perfect. It also tells you that you were the only one who was watching.”

Of course, in a workplace setting it’s natural to feel hesitancy towards making mistakes; however, it is possible to achieve great results and still attain high standards by following the ideology of ‘good enough’. Likewise, recognising the detrimental effects of perfectionism and being more accepting of imperfection (as humans, we are, inherently imperfect) can be enormously beneficial. Cutting yourself some slack and allowing yourself to get stuck into a task without the inner critic chirping away can dramatically speed up the process of doing, and doing well.

“And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.” – John Steinbeck, East of Eden

#3 Expand (Beyond Your Comfort Zone)

So, once you’ve quietened your inner critic and accepted that there is no such thing as perfection, it’s time to start expanding beyond your comfort zone. Hone your existing skills and experiment with your weaknesses. Only by taking these brave steps can anyone ever hope to achieve.

“If you wait for the perfect conditions, you will never get anything done” – Ecclesiastes 11:4

Give yourself the chance to grow and learn. Take that leap of faith into new territories – for example you may be eager to upskill, enter a new job or make a complete career change – without looking back or doubting yourself. Encountering new things (in the workplace or otherwise) nine-times-out-of-ten results in hiccups and mistakes along the way, but affording yourself the permission to make these hiccups and mistakes will bring you closer to your end goals: happiness and success.

If you’re edging towards a downward spiral of the Perfectionism or Nirvana Fallacy, it’s critical to remember to exclude, explore, and expand. And, one final X to close the piece: exhale.