To people who are not afflicted by perfectionism, it may sound like a positive.
Employers often consider it a desirable quality as they benefit from their employee’s diligence, care, and commitment to excellence. They recognise that those who pursue perfection tend to pour extraordinary effort into everything they do.
Is this a sign of high standards? Absolutely.
Relentless drive? Without question.
Perfectionists can yield impressive results!
Sadly, there’s often a downside to this relentless pursuit . . .
It can be a sign of something far less positive.
I’ve often noted that clients who describe themselves as perfectionistic at work are not simply ambitious, they are running a ‘not good enough’ narrative. This is rarely restricted to the workplace and is usually driven by low self-worth, a yearning for recognition, or a deep-seated need to be accepted.
But that’s not the only problem.
Despite outward success or an impressive track record, many perfectionists’ struggle.
Their critical inner voice drowns out (or skews) any complimentary or affirmative input.
They work even harder, hoping to silence their critical inner voice through achievement. Even when they acknowledge that this is a faulty strategy that doesn’t deliver the desired effect, they continue.
Sadly, this only feeds the cycle. It increases stress and robs them of precious time and energy. It can also lead to physical and emotional burnout.
Does this sound familiar?
If so, you’ll know how exhausting it is.
You’ll also recognise the compulsion to work harder, perform better, and push further. Even when the outcome is good, it’s rarely good enough.
Living in this constant loop of pressure reduces your confidence and blocks any gratification from your successes. It makes genuine self-acceptance feel frustratingly out of reach. In short, it sucks the joy out of life.
So how do you overcome perfectionism?
Therapy. As unhelpful narratives operate at a deep, unconscious level, ‘surface-level’ solutions are unlikely to reap long-term results. Identifying that you run these patterns is brilliant but ditching them (or the beliefs that drive them) on your own is difficult when you are battling with yourself.
That doesn’t mean that therapy needs to be painful or protracted, though. I’ve worked with many clients who have experienced powerful shifts through a short course of therapy.
Are you fed up or frustrated by your self-talk?
If you are fed up or frustrated by your self-talk, get in touch to find out how I can help. Book a free consultation with me or email to arrange a convenient time for a chat.
I look forward to speaking to you soon.
