Tips for Balancing Perfectionism and Practicality

Perfectionism in your career might seem like a good thing at first—it drives you to do your best and excel. However, it can be detrimental in the long run. Here’s why: Burnout Risk: Constantly striving for perfection can lead to physical and mental exhaustion. When you never feel like your work is good enough, you’re more likely to experience burnout, negatively affecting your health and productivity. In "Live for a Living" Andy Palmer and I talk about the challenges we had with #burnout. Learn from us. It wasn't healthy. Decreased Productivity: Perfectionists often spend excessive time on tasks trying to make them flawless. This can lead to missed deadlines and reduced overall productivity. Put your pencil down. You did your best. Fear of Failure: The fear of making mistakes can be paralyzing. Perfectionists might avoid taking risks or trying new things because they’re afraid of not doing them perfectly. This stifles creativity and innovation. Impaired Relationships: If you’re overly critical of yourself, you might also be critical of others, which can create a tense and uncomfortable work environment. Lower Job Satisfaction: Perfectionists are often never satisfied with their achievements, always focusing on what could be better rather than celebrating what went well. 🙂 What You Can Do About It: Set Realistic Goals: Aim for excellence, not perfection. Set achievable goals and recognize that it’s okay to have high standards, but they should be realistic. Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps. Embrace Mistakes: View mistakes as learning opportunities rather than failures. Understand that errors are part of the growth process. When something goes wrong, take the time to learn from it instead of beating yourself up. Prioritize Tasks: Focus on what truly matters and prioritize your tasks. Not every task requires the same level of effort. Learn to identify which tasks are critical and which ones can be done well enough without excessive scrutiny. Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself. Acknowledge your efforts and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Treat yourself with the same compassion you would offer to a friend. (Why is this one always the hardest?) Seek Feedback: Feedback from others will help you gain a more balanced perspective on your work and help you understand that good enough is often, well, good enough. Focus on Progress, Not Perfection: Celebrate the improvements you make and understand that continuous improvement is more sustainable and rewarding than chasing an impossible standard. When you have done your best, take wisdom from the Disney movie "Frozen" and Let it Go! #LiveforaLiving #ComfortZone #CareerAdvice #Career #WellBeing #Fulfillment #CareerGuidance #CareerGoals #CareerDevelopment #CareerSuccess #ProfessionalAdvice #LifeLessons #CareerInspiration #CareerGoals #CareerCoaching #CareerStrategy #CareerBooks #ProfessionalGrowth #CareerChange

7 things to do right now to succeed without burnout And, being perfect is not one of them. We all fall prey to the insidious need for everything to be perfect. I did too. I call myself the recovering perfectionist. But, it has not been easy. I realized that in striving for perfection, I was... → Chasing an unattainable standard. → Over-analyzing every little detail. → Scared of making mistakes. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗲? → Burnout → Feeling stuck → Lack of self-compassion → Constant judgement of efforts → Feeling of never being 'good enough' And, that is when I started flipping the script. 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗜 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼... 1️⃣ Value progress over perfection, small steps matter 2️⃣ Commit to showing up, consistency is the key 3️⃣ Perfection is unattainable. Acknowledge it. 4️⃣ Be kind to yourself. You are good enough. 5️⃣ Embrace mistakes. They help you learn 6️⃣ Focus on effort, not just the outcome 7️⃣ Seek growth, not validation. Perfectionism promises excellence but delivers paralysis. Your potential is harnessed through consistent action. So, let's shift our focus. 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝘄𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀. Remember, showing up imperfectly is better than not showing up at all. PS. Do you embrace progress over perfection? ~~~ Follow me at Kappu Anand for daily tips on building a business and life you love. ♻️ Repost to inspire the perfectionists in your circle. Image: Me in my Jewelry Studio pursuing the illusion of perfection

Perfectionism can be a major hindrance to personal and professional growth for leaders. It can lead to excessive self-criticism, fear of failure, and hesitation to take necessary risks. Here are 10 ways leaders can overcome perfectionism and boost their self-confidence: 1. Set Realistic Goals: Instead of aiming for unattainable perfection, set achievable and specific goals. Break larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks to prevent feeling overwhelmed. 2. Focus on Progress, Not Perfection: Shift your mindset from seeking flawless outcomes to valuing progress and learning from mistakes. Embrace the idea that mistakes are opportunities for growth. 3. Practice Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you would offer to a friend. Accept that everyone makes mistakes and that self-criticism is counterproductive. 4. Celebrate Achievements: Acknowledge your accomplishments, regardless of their size. Celebrating milestones boosts your confidence and reinforces positive behavior. 5. Embrace Failure as Learning: View failures as valuable learning experiences rather than as reflections of your worth. Analyze what went wrong, extract lessons, and apply them to future endeavors. 6. Develop a Growth Mindset: Cultivate the belief that your abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and learning. This mindset reduces the fear of failure and encourages continuous improvement. 7. Delegate and Seek Help: Recognize that you don't have to do everything perfectly on your own. Delegate tasks to team members and seek assistance when needed. Collaboration can lead to better outcomes. 8. Prioritize and Manage Time: Set clear priorities and allocate time wisely. Perfectionism often leads to spending excessive time on minor details, which can hinder progress on more important tasks. 9. Practice Self-Reflection: Regularly assess your strengths, accomplishments, and areas for improvement. This self-awareness can help you build a more accurate and positive self-image. 10. Seek Feedback: Request feedback from peers, mentors, or team members to gain different perspectives on your performance. Constructive feedback can help you identify areas to focus on without feeling overwhelmed by perfectionism. Remember that overcoming perfectionism is a gradual process. Start by incorporating one or two of these strategies into your routine and gradually integrate more as you become more comfortable. Building self-confidence takes time, but by implementing these techniques, you can develop a healthier and more productive leadership style. #Leaders #Leadership #Business #Ceo #Perfectionism

𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗞𝗲𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗽 🔑 Struggling with the grip of perfectionism in your leadership role? 💠 I know it's tough. Striving for perfection can seem like a good thing, but it often ends up causing more stress and stops innovation. It's more than just setting high standards; it's about trying to achieve something that's just not possible, which can really wear you down. If you don't tackle this head-on, it can create a really negative work environment, squash creativity and willingness to take risks, and slow down your team's progress. Perfectionism is a conflict between being highly, even overly responsible, and not having enough time and or resources to accomplish it. It causes the person to try to control. Often the perfectionist believes only they can accomplish the result. 💢 Some neuroscientists suggest humans can be addicted to being right. We hate being proven wrong. It’s rare to be independent of needing to be right in front of others. Here's a few imperfect suggestions: 🧩 Set Aside Perfectionist Time: Have specific times when you focus on getting things just right. This lets you be detailed without it taking over your whole day. 🧩 Think About Why You Want Things Perfect: Perfectionism often comes from deeper feelings about ourselves. Take a moment to really think about why you feel the need to be perfect. There may be an attachment to a story that results in trying to control what you can’t control. Ask, can you control what you can’t control? Be kind and compassionate to yourself when you do this. 🧩 Try a 'Quick Fail, Quick Learn' Approach: Instead of trying to get everything perfect from the start, focus on learning from each step you take. This way, you grow and improve, even if things aren't perfect. By trying these steps, you'll likely start to feel less pressure, see more creativity in your team, and find a better balance in your leadership style. Have you ever been caught in the perfectionism trap? How did you get out of it, and what difference did it make for you? Share in the comments below. ⏬⏬ #BreakFreeFromPerfectionism #LeadershipBalance #ContinuousImprovement #EmbraceGrowth #MindfulLeadership

Planning isn’t about being perfect. It’s about managing change. This was a nugget of wisdom I got from reading “Lean Business Planning” by Tim Berry. As a recovering perfectionist, getting over this hurdle has been a big one for me. Balancing future thinking with a practical mindset takes work, and it can be easy to get stuck in decision paralysis. In my case, decision paralysis often stems from fear - A fear of being wrong, because I don’t want to mess up or look stupid or inadvertently cause damage to something. When I speak to other project managers, they often share similar thoughts. We like to think forward, we like to plan and have ideas, but the slow and methodical side of our brains can hinder us from making the impactful decisions we often need to make as PMs. So how can we effectively plan, while still leaving room for error? Here are a few tips I’ve seen the best teams use, inspired by the book: ⭐ Trust your judgment. Trust that you have the information you need to make the decisions that are presented to you at any point in time, even if your decision is to “wait and see.” ⭐ Work in batches. Take a few small steps and then evaluate, adjust, and continue to move in the direction of growth. ⭐ Understand you will often be wrong, but if you work smartly and check in often, the degree of “wrong” will be less significant. ⭐ And finally, stop saying "but what if..." as a way to protect yourself from failure. How do you navigate change? #changemanagement #projectmanagement #startupbusiness ________________________________________________________ 🔔 Follow me and ring the bell for more project management and leadership content! 📬 Interested in working with me as a coach or project consultant? My DMs are open! 📺 Check out my YT channel in the featured section of my profile to access over 150 FREE videos about the project management experience.

Communicating complex concepts is challenging. Storytelling can help. It enables us to make abstract ideas tangible, memorable, and actionable. Let's explore how storytelling can convey the topic of time management. ⏳ What complex topic are you seeking to communicate today? 🤔 We've all developed methods to improve our effectiveness and productivity. Have you ever tried to explain your approach to someone else only to get lost in the details? It can be challenging to convey its complexities! As an entrepreneur, I understand the struggle. I developed a mantra focused on three key concepts: ✅ Prioritization ⏰ Procrastination 🌟 Prudence Prudence can unlock the ability to move forward confidently. That's simple, but will you remember it? Will you act on it? Let's visit with Alex, whose journey shows the transformative power of prudence. There was a time when Alex, an entrepreneur in a bustling city, was constantly overwhelmed. His mind brimmed with brilliant ideas and projects. However, he was often ensnared by procrastination, delaying tasks until the last moment. Alex struggled with prioritizing tasks that, to him, all risked the slippery slope of perfectionism. Perfectionism can be fear-driven. Have you ever asked yourself, repeatedly, "Is this good enough?!" If you have, you are in good company. Analysis paralysis often followed, and Alex could not determine which task deserved immediate attention. Feeling stuck, Alex turned to his old mentor, Emma, for guidance. She listened carefully and then shared a powerful secret: Prudence. “Prudence,” Emma explained, “is the art of effectively using your time. It’s about being mindful of when to start a task and, more importantly, knowing when to stop. It’s the balance between making enough progress and avoiding the trap of perfectionism.” Inspired, Alex embraced prudence. With his new mindset, he paused before diving in and considered tangible, manageable goals. "How can I be prudent about this?" He'd ask. For instance, he reminded himself to aim for 80% completion rather than chasing an elusive 100%. Gradually, Alex’s days became more manageable. He found a rhythm that allowed him to be creative without being overwhelmed. Procrastination no longer held him back, and prioritization became second nature. With prudence guiding him, Alex’s efficiency soared, and he felt a sense of accomplishment and balance. Alex's story could serve as a valuable example for employees, mentors, coaches, and even oneself, demonstrating how prudence can transform our approach to tasks and goals. But, more importantly, it shows how stories can be created for any complex topic, making abstract concepts tangible, relatable, and actionable. The next time you feel yourself getting wrapped around the axle in planning a communication, consider how a story can help. What story will you tell? #Storytelling #Communications

Perfection is a myth.Think you're falling behind? Worried about a "lack of progress"? 7 concepts everyone should understand to avoid the overthinking trap: 1. Progress, Not Perfection Aiming for perfection is a surefire path to disappointment. Instead, focus on making progress. Set achievable goals and embrace gradual improvement. Don’t live in the axiety of an incomplete future. Rome wasn't built in a day, and your goals won't be achieved overnight. 2. Build a Routine If you don't think you're making progress, establish a routine to keep you on track. One that makes time for work AND rest. A solid routine provides structure to manage your time effectively and keeps you accountable when you deviate from it. It leaves zero space (and time) for overthinking. 3. The 80/20 Rule Feeling stressed and not sure where to start? Prioritize tasks based on which will yield the greatest results. 80% of outcomes come from 20% of efforts - not everything requires 100% effort. Sometimes, good enough is just that – good enough. 4. Mindfulness Overthinking often stems from dwelling on past mistakes or fearing future failures. Combat this by practicing mindfulness - be present in the moment. Engage in activities that ground you in the now. A clearer, calmer mind is better equipped to tackle challenges. 5. Set Boundaries A lack of boundaries runs the risk of being treated like a doormat. Overcommitting leads to burnout, and burnout kills productivity. Say no to things that don’t align with your goals or well-being. Time and energy are precious resources – manage them wisely. 6. Seek Constructive Feedback When second-guessing yourself, seek feedback from trusted: • Colleagues • Mentors • Friends External input breaks the cycle of overthinking, helping refine your approach without being your own worst enemy. 7. Accept Imperfection Imperfection is part of the human experience - embrace it, flaws and all. Humans were built to make mistakes and learn from them. Stop holding yourself to unrealistic expectations and scrutinizing your every move. Once you do, it's liberating. That's a wrap! If you enjoyed this: 1. Follow me Evan Nierman for more of these 2. Subscribe to my newsletter for more breakdowns like this: https://lnkd.in/g8MF5-6g

Is your perfectionism turning you into a difficult leader? Here's how you can tell: > Perfectionists aim for the stars, but sometimes those stars are just too far to reach. Setting goals that are too high can lead to constant feelings of 'not good enough.' > Perfectionists often have a habit of overthinking things, imagining situations as either perfect or completely awful. This can make decision-making and teamwork tricky. > Waiting for the 'perfect' moment can lead to putting things off until the last minute. This not only increases stress but also often results in rushed, less-than-perfect work. How to break free: > Get feedback from others to set achievable goals that won't drive you or your team to exhaustion. > Try not to imagine everything as a black-or-white scenario. Sometimes, 'good enough' is more than good enough. > Don't wait for 'perfect.' Start and improve as you go. > If your perfectionism is affecting your mental health, consider talking to a professional who can help. > Try mindfulness meditation to relieve stress and accept that perfection isn't always necessary. In a leadership role, perfectionism can turn you into a tough boss, making life hard for your team. It's time to relax a bit, set realistic expectations, and enjoy the journey without the pressure of being 'perfect.'

My perfectionism was killing me. Being “perfect” was how I guarded myself from the anxiety of confronting the secret me who felt “less than” and worried that someone, anyone, EVERYONE would see my carefully concealed flaws. I hid that scaredy-cat 10 year-old version of me from the world. I avoided her at all costs by doing more and achieving more, but it became a toxic treadmill that I was addicted to and just couldn’t get off… 🥵Do well. 🥵Expectations increase. 🥵Do even more. 🥵Rinse and repeat. I finally realized that I was miserable and operating in a constant state of stress. ❌It kept me from taking risks and growing. ❌It kept me stuck in the familiar where I knew I excelled. ❌It kept me from stepping into the next best version of me as an enlightened adult. Can you relate? A couple years back I got really sick of myself. I realized that peace required change, and that meant challenging the thoughts and feelings that made my stomache tie into knots. Examples of my internal conversations: “New things can be messy, give it your best and be proud.” “You’re creating rules in your own head. Remember, they don’t really exist.” “You have tons of historical evidence that you’re extremely capable. Embrace it and BELIEVE it!” “No one is paying that much attention to you. Even if you make a mistake it will probably barely be noticed, and even if it is, it will be quickly forgiven and forgotten.” Has it been easy? Nope. Do I find myself backsliding at times? Yep! It will be a lifelong struggle… but the more I do it, the easier it gets. Practice for progress, not perfection. #perfectionism #mindsetshifts #growthanddevelopment