Have you ever encountered a job advertisement that seeks someone who is a perfectionist? It’s clear that the hiring organization likely has good intentions: they seek an individual committed to completing tasks with precision. However, an obsession with perfection can unfortunately hinder the completion of any work at all.
Perfectionism can be a double-edged sword, propelling you into proactive behaviors or causing inertia that prevents even the simplest tasks from being accomplished. Often, those grappling with perfectionism have difficulty relinquishing control. At the core of this issue is a profound fear of failure. Illogically, unhealthy perfectionists may think that accounting for every possible scenario will guarantee that the work they tackle will be flawless. Alternatively, they can become so engrossed in the planning stages that they never actually start executing the task.
Here are several strategies to redirect your perfectionistic tendencies toward more productive outcomes:
1. Embrace the end result.
If the idea of submitting work that you don’t perceive as perfect bothers you, consider making a list of potential worst-case scenarios. Could you lose your business? Could your reputation be tarnished? Would you face bankruptcy? It’s unlikely. But will fixating on this project prevent you from engaging with more critical tasks? Absolutely. This kind of obsessive, fearful thinking can be debilitating.
2. Change your mindset.
The silver lining of perfectionism is that it often indicates a high level of drive and meticulousness that many lack. Yet, problems arise when you’re so fixated on the minutiae that you lose sight of the larger goal you’re trying to achieve. Practice self-compassion and recognize that perfectionism is neither an undesirable trait nor an admirable quality.
Perfectionism can either motivate you toward productive action or inhibit your ability to complete even the simplest of tasks.
3. Distinguish between dedication and obsession.
For entrepreneurs, especially those new to the field, there is often a deep-rooted desire to present a product or service exactly as envisioned. This vision and dedication are valuable; however, it is crucial not to confuse commitment with unhealthy obsession. Diligence is not synonymous with excessive rumination.
4. Allocate your energy effectively.
Completing a task often holds more weight than achieving perfection. Ultimately, what is the purpose of striving for perfection if your ideal work remains unseen? Some entrepreneurs grapple with releasing a project, continuing to refine it long past the point where additional effort yields little return. What other responsibilities have you overlooked while you obsessively fine-tune a project that should have been finalized days ago?
5. Let go of control.
A helpful approach for recovering perfectionists is consciously delegating tasks that previously caused them distress. If you have a team, this transition can be relatively easy. You employed them for the knowledge and skill sets they bring to contribute to your business’s success. Allow them the freedom to perform their roles, but also accept that mistakes will occur.
Julie Burton
Founder and CEO of ModernWell, Minnesota
As an entrepreneur, I’ve found that being open about my challenges with perfectionism has been vital for the development of ModernWell. While perfectionism can masquerade as “hardworking,” “detail-oriented,” and “high standards”—all of which are commendable—the toxic side of perfectionism can be detrimental to both individuals and their organizations.
Navigating uncharted territory and having to make decisions armed only with intuition and knowledge, often lacking genuine certitude, can be agonizing. I recall many moments when I broke down to my husband, saying, “I’m so lost. This is all terrifying and perplexing.” His response, after years of running a company, was typically variations of, “Welcome to business ownership. I feel that uncertainty every single day.”
My suggestions are as follows:
- Read all of Brené Brown’s works.
- Form an advisory board of individuals who will push you, build your confidence in leadership, and provide solid advice.
- Foster an environment where you and your team can provide constructive feedback. Seek assistance from team members when you feel stuck.
- Be willing to delegate. Things might not always be executed exactly as you would do them, but that doesn’t equate to inadequate quality. Clearly communicate your expectations, and remember that no one, including yourself, can achieve perfection.
- Practice compassion towards yourself and others. Perfectionism struggles to survive where compassion exists. Embrace the fact that being human inherently means being imperfect.
Lance J. Robinson
Owner and Primary Attorney, Louisiana
As a lawyer who established my own small practice, the urge to be a perfectionist was ever-present. My goal was to assist my clients in every possible way, both in my role as their attorney and as a business owner. While the pursuit of perfection can be beneficial, it can also hinder one’s success.
Perfectionistic tendencies can yield substantial stress, both personally and in one’s career. When you dedicate every moment and ounce of energy to achieving perfection, your personal life is likely to suffer. Additionally, focusing too much on perfecting tasks that are already complete can slow your progress and distract you from other essential responsibilities. When your benchmark is absolute perfection, you will hesitate to embrace risks.
Finding a balance is essential. Personally, this means maintaining my expertise, relying on my experience, and striving to do my utmost. I’ve discovered that when I keep my skills updated and prioritize my clients’ needs, the stress of trying to be flawless dissipates.
Ketan Kapoor
Co-Founder of Mercer Mettl, Gurugram, India
Aiming for perfection has held me back in many instances. The initial version of Mettl’s cognitive and psychometric assessments took considerable time as we debated whether it was adequately ready to be introduced to the market.
We put great effort into bringing those assessments to fruition, but while strategizing our marketing efforts, I still second-guessed whether our hard-won data was indeed optimal. I kept postponing. Ultimately, that content proved to be immensely beneficial. Today, our assessments are vastly different from when we first launched them, having undergone constant refinement to adapt to client needs.
This experience imparted an essential lesson: genuine success occurs amidst chaos—not when everything appears orderly and perfect.
The pursuit of perfection is commendable, provided you understand where to establish boundaries and balance it with efficiency. A wise approach is to produce the best work you can while remaining open to the learning experiences that come from making mistakes. If your only aim is perfection, you may never fail, but you’ll also never make a start.
If you have a dedicated team, the transition toward accepting imperfection can be smooth.
