Keep Perfectionism From Running Your Life
Are you the type of person who likes everything in life to fall neatly into place? Perhaps you spend all of your time trying to create perfect moments or the perfect household? If this sounds like you, then maybe – just maybe – it’s time to loosen up a little. Do you really want your nit-picking to override the bits of life that need to be embraced and appreciated exactly as they are – utterly imperfect?
Many of us have areas in our lives where we are total perfectionists. Whether it’s with work, with chores or in relationships, sometimes we like to control situations so that the outcome is 100% to our liking. But while some of the things we focus on getting better because of our high standards, oftentimes a lot of other areas suffer.
Did you know that three very close friends of perfection are: depression, anxiety and anger?
Before you allow the wind to be taken out of your sails, perhaps it’s time to let go and let live.
Below we will share 10 pieces of advice that perfectionists can apply to sustain their drive and get more out of life:
1. Stick To Setting Realistic Goals And Expectations
When you set goals that are realistic or are easily attainable, then you can avoid ridding yourself of excess energy that would otherwise be used to attempt the impossible. This way you can avoid burn-out and the onset of depression that often arises when unrealistic goals are not reached.
We also encourage you to recognize that YOU are enough and you do not need to be perfect to grow and prosper.
2. Give Your Inner Critic A Run For Its Money
Don’t let your own thoughts be the cause of your demise. You need to reward yourself when you achieve small goals and you need to remember to focus on the positive. If your mind keeps concentrating on imperfect nuances, then you are only going to wreak havoc with your emotional wellbeing.
3. Make Yourself A Priority
When you climb onto a plane, you are instructed to strap on your own gas mask before helping the person next to you. The same action should apply to life in general. Put your health and well-being first. Seek counseling, pick up an old hobby you enjoyed in the past, and find little things in life that make you happy. When you are happy and in your right mind, then you are less likely to sweat the small things.
4. Practice SAYING “NO”
Perfectionists often struggle with saying no. They are all too eager to please friends, family, colleagues, and even themselves. This is because they are naturally ambitious.
If this is you, then it’s time to start practicing saying “no”. If you can’t say “no”, you may just end up using all of your energy reserves and while you fall into a dreaded pit of exhaustion.
5. Make Sure You Know That Time Off Is Not Time Wasted
Perfectionists often battle to relax; this is because they are often of the mindset that time off is time wasted. However, it’s important to remember that rest and relaxation are both healthy and necessary.
Practice relaxing and taking time off so that you can recharge those batteries before they’re too flat to function altogether. Include some mindfulness activities like meditation into your schedule.
6. Trust That It Will All Get Done In Time
Your personality-type will ensure that you will get the job done. Even if it means working through the night to complete a task, you know that you will do what you need to do when the time is right.
Use this knowledge to feel more secure in moments where you are overwhelmed. Learn not to panic, just breathe and take one small step at a time.
7. Add “Down-Time” To Your Schedule
Because you are a perfectionist and probably a little controlling, you may feel better about taking time to relax if you schedule it into your calendar. While this action is far from being loose and spontaneous, planned relaxation and stress relief is better than no relaxation at all.
8. A Good Holiday May Be All The Medication You Need
When you visit a new environment and stray from your usual routine, then it’s easy to loosen up and let go of the things you usually try to control. Ditch the chores and the perfect work and household for a few days so that you can cleanse yourself. Dump the emotional and mental baggage that comes with trying to do things right all of the time while you’re at it.
9. Multitasking Does Not Make You A Superhero
You may think that you are awesome because you are a pro at multitasking. We suggest you ease up on trying to do so many things at once. This not only depletes energy, decreases efficiency, and disrupts memory, but it is a great stressor that puts a hell of a strain on your body and mind.
10. Don’t Expect Others To Fall Into Your Perfect Bubble
While everything you do may be perfect, don’t expect others to execute at that same level. Not everyone is wired the same way and many like to simply accept things just as they are. By adjusting your expectations, the less likely you’ll end up with a headache.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a perfectionist. In fact, the world needs more people like you who strive to make things better and more wholesome. But before you let this drive run your life completely, perhaps you need to know how to control your actions before they control you.
Sources:
- Perfectionist? 10 Ways to Stop Being Your Own Worst Enemy – INC.
- How To Overcome Perfectionism: 4 Secrets From Research – Barking Up The Wrong Tree
