How to Overcome Perfectionism (and the Anxiety it Causes) - College Info Geek

TL;DR

Learn how to overcome perfectionism by embracing imperfections, setting deadlines, and focusing on continuous improvement.

Transcript

This is one of those things they tell you never to say during a job interview when they ask you what your greatest weakness is because it's like a humble brag, but I struggle with perfectionism. Like where other people are willing to say things are good enough, or they quite rightly realize that little, tiny details in their work are ... Read More

Key Insights

• ✋ Perfectionism can be categorized as adaptive or maladaptive, with the former being motivated by high standards and the latter feeling constant pressure to meet unrealistic ideals.
• 💦 Perfectionism can hinder productivity by making tasks seem monumental and causing individuals to endlessly tweak and edit their work.
• 😫 Overcoming perfectionism involves embracing imperfection, setting deadlines, focusing on continuous improvement, and not comparing oneself to others.
• 🍗 Skill development requires making mistakes and learning from them, as progress comes through countless iterations rather than executing perfectly on the first try.
• 💯 Deadlines provide structure and encourage individuals to finish their work, even if it's not perfect, which helps overcome perfectionism.
• 💯 Embracing imperfection and understanding that no one is perfect can reduce anxiety and stress caused by perfectionistic tendencies.
• 💦 Comparing oneself to others can be detrimental to overcoming perfectionism; instead, individuals should focus on measuring their progress against their previous work.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the differences between adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism?

Adaptive perfectionists are motivated by high standards and pursue goals without compromising their self-esteem, while maladaptive perfectionists feel constant pressure to meet unrealistic standards and often experience anxiety and depression. The former invests time and energy into projects, while the latter procrastinates due to the difficulty of meeting their ideal standard.

Q: How does perfectionism hinder skill development?

Perfectionism hampers skill development by not allowing oneself to make mistakes, which are crucial learning opportunities. Without the ability to learn from mistakes, individuals limit their growth and progress in their chosen field.

Q: How can setting deadlines help overcome perfectionism?

Setting deadlines provides structure and prevents individuals from focusing excessively on one project. By having a time constraint, perfectionists are motivated to finish their work instead of endlessly tweaking and fine-tuning. Deadlines also force individuals to put their work out there, even if it's not perfect, which fosters continuous improvement.

Q: How can one overcome the anxiety and stress caused by perfectionism?

Overcoming perfectionism involves embracing imperfection and realizing that no one is perfect, including oneself. Embracing mistakes and understanding that they are a vital part of the learning process can help reduce anxiety and stress. Additionally, focusing on personal growth and improvement rather than comparing oneself to others can also alleviate anxiety stemming from unrealistic ideals.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Perfectionism can hinder productivity and cause anxiety, as it often makes tasks seem monumental and leads to constant tweaking and editing.

• Overcoming perfectionism involves embracing imperfection, setting deadlines, working in stages, and focusing on continuous improvement.

• Skill and knowledge come through countless iterations and learning from mistakes, rather than executing perfectly on the first try.