Why "Perfect" Isn't "Perfect"

Have you ever felt the need to strive for perfection?  Many of us have grown up chasing the idea of succeeding in everything we do, with societal pressures only enhancing these feelings.

Research shows that perfectionism is complex and those who strive to make everything perfect are often highly motivated and smart. They have high standards and worry that they are going to let themselves or those around them down.   However, chasing perfectionism is often a never-ending road.

Why Trying to be Perfect Isn’t Ideal

While it’s good to strive for improvements, perfection is actually unobtainable because there is always room for improvement. When you’re trying to be perfect in everything, it can actually have the opposite effects and may hinder your progress.

Striving for perfection can become demotivating. When you feel like you’re constantly working harder and harder but still not achieving the perfection you desire, it can cause you to feel as though you’re never going to reach your goals, potentially making you more inclined to give up.

When you don’t reach the goal of perfection, you might feel like a failure, even though “perfect” is never attainable. You might fixate on the failures and forget to celebrate everything that you have already achieved.

How to Set Realistic Goals

To overcome perfectionist tendencies, it’s important to set realistic goals. This means setting goals that are attainable within a given time.

To ensure your goals are realistic, use the SMART goals framework, which involves making your goals Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timed.  Rather than chase perfection, try focusing on the process of obtaining goals and remember to celebrate your successes along the way.