“Perfect” may be the ultimate praise, but trying to attain perfection can cause stress, hinder efficiency, and create unnecessary conflicts with the people around you. More productive goal is excellence: meeting the highest standards agreed upon for oneself or by the group. To go from perfectionism to the pursuit of excellence, follow these advices:
- Be realistic
When you find yourself becoming frantic about a goal, stop and ask, “Is this goal really worth all the frustration I’m experiencing?”
- Establish clear expectations
If you know what’s expected of you, you can better track your progress and draw boundaries when needed, which will help you move forward with the project instead of trying to make it better.
- Identify your triggers
Learn to recognize the factors that lead or contribute to your perfectionist thinking and behaviors—and avoid them.
- Delegate
Many perfectionists mistakenly believe that they—and only they—can complete the task at hand. Allow other people to assist you, which will improve the odds that the group will more easily reach excellence.
- Know what’s important
Ask yourself, “What’s most important about this project?” Consult with friends, colleagues, and your boss. Analyzing your objectives, then narrowing down key points and agreements, allows everyone to measure his or her performance accurately.
