Do you set high goals and standards for yourself and people around you?
However, do you get frustrated when things don’t go according to plan as quick as you want?
Do you consider yourself a Perfectionist who HAS to get things right but you know it’s delaying your progress and worst, actually worsening your procrastination?
As a fellow perfectionist, I know how frustrating it is when trying to learn a new skill, improve on an existing one or achieving a new goal. I think my perfectionism started when I was a teenager and I became a fitness freak, wanting to lose weight so the boys will like me. I know it’s silly thinking back.
Perfectionism can show up in many places.
In some situations, being a perfectionist is actually beneficial. This is true for athletes, scientist, composers and artist. We need a level of perfectionism in our lives or else, nothing new and beautiful will be created. I admit being a perfectionist when I help my patients with their skin or treat their faces.
However, there is a dark side to perfectionism. According to research, perfectionism can be damaging, being a risk factor for many problems such as eating disorders, anxiety, depression, body dysmorphic disorders, workaholism or substance abuse.
Don’t be disheartened if you feel your dark side taking over….. I too in my life had my bad Perfectionist self take over which only resulted in stress, heartache and not much getting done.
So how do we keep the Good Perfectionist in our life while leaving the Bad Perfectionist at the door?
In this week’s video blog, I would like to share with you 3 things you can do to remain productive while preventing your Perfectionist self from further procastinating, distressing or giving up. I hope you find it useful.
Over to you
Which action step can you take immediately to avoid your bad perfectionist creating havoc in your life?
Please put your comments below – I look forward to hearing from you.
I wish you all the best in the journey as well as the destination. Here’s to being an Imperfect Perfectionist.
Until next time, be inspired, have fun and stay young at heart.
Love this video Dr Terry. Such a great energy and sense of fun when talking about what can be a VERY serious subject.
Thank you Jane. If we can put some fun into a serious topic, we won’t have to stress too much about it. Especially, being a perfectionist, we can easily self-criticise so when we’re laughing, it’s a bit difficult to let our inner-critic take over.
Dr Terry – lovely video!! Just the right balance between using perfectionism for the all the good it brings but not being killed by it – working on becoming the imperfect perfectionist!!!
Thank you Sue. Balance is the word. Love how you put it.
Thanks so much for this Dr Terry – just what I needed to hear!! My bad perfectionist is ever present and stops me putting myself out there with my new business until all the branding and the website are perfect. But not any more. This year I’m embracing imperfectionism and I’m going to celebrate every time I do something before I’m ready or before it’s perfect. Great video!
You’re very welcome Angela! That’s so awesome you’re getting out there and building on something that you love. May the party begin!!!