Let’s dive into a topic that many of us can relate to but often don’t talk about enough: perfectionism. You know that nagging voice that whispers, “You’re not good enough” or “You have to do better”?
Yeah, that voice can be relentless. For years, I thought being a perfectionist was a badge of honor. I prided myself on my organization, my ability to handle pressure, and my knack for getting things done. But beneath that polished exterior lay a constant battle with anxiety and self-doubt.
The truth is, that perfectionism often disguises itself as ambition, but it can lead to burnout and overwhelm. If you’ve been feeling stuck, anxious, or just plain exhausted from trying to be perfect all the time, you might be caught in a perfectionism trap. Today, I’m sharing five signs that you’re stuck in this cycle and how you can break free because life is too short to let perfectionism hold you back from being your authentic self!
Sign #1: You’re Always “Almost” Ready
Have you ever found yourself saying, “I’ll launch my business once I have the perfect website,” or “I’ll start dating again when I’ve lost those last few pounds”? If so, you might be stuck in the “almost ready” mindset. Perfectionists often wait for everything to align perfectly before taking action.
But here’s the truth: there’s no such thing as perfect timing or a perfect product. The most successful people aren’t the ones who wait; they’re the ones who take imperfect action. To break free from this trap, set a deadline for yourself. And not just any deadline—a non-negotiable one. Tell a friend about your goal or post it on social media. When you have accountability, you’re more likely to push through your fears and take action.
Sign #2: You Take Criticism Way Too Personally
Let’s face it: nobody likes criticism. But for perfectionists, it feels like a personal attack. It’s not just about the work anymore; it feels like someone is saying YOU aren’t good enough.I remember when I received my first piece of negative feedback on a project I poured my heart into. I was devastated and spent hours obsessing over every word, convinced I was a failure.
But here’s the shift that changed everything for me: I started viewing criticism as feedback for growth—not as a judgment of my worth.Next time you receive criticism, take a deep breath and ask yourself what you can learn from it. Separate your work from your worth; remember that you are valuable regardless of how well your latest project turned out.
Sign #3: You’re a Pro at Procrastination
You might think perfectionists are super productive, but here’s the irony: they’re often master procrastinators. Why? Because starting something new can feel daunting when you're worried it won't be perfect.I used to spend hours organizing my desk or creating elaborate to-do lists instead of tackling the actual work I needed to do. This is what I call productive procrastination—doing everything except what really matters.
To break this cycle, give yourself permission to start before you're ready. Set a timer for 25 minutes and work on that project you've been avoiding without worrying about making it perfect. You might be surprised at how much you can accomplish when you let go of the need for perfection.
Sign #4: You’re Constantly Comparing Yourself to Others
In today’s world of social media, it’s all too easy to fall into the comparison trap. You scroll through Instagram and suddenly feel like everyone else has their life together while you’re still trying to figure things out.
But remember: social media is everyone’s highlight reel! We’re comparing our behind-the-scenes to someone else’s carefully curated best moments. For perfectionists, this can be paralyzing.
The turning point for me came when I realized that my unique perspective and experiences were valuable in their own right. I didn’t need to be like anyone else; I just needed to be authentically me.
Whenever you catch yourself comparing, stop and list three things that make you unique. Celebrate what makes YOU special!
Sign #5: You Have an All-or-Nothing Mindset
This one is huge! Perfectionism often comes with an all-or-nothing mindset. If you can't do something perfectly, why bother doing it at all? This mindset shows up in various ways—maybe you've fallen off your diet and think that means you should eat the whole pizza because what's the point now? Or perhaps you've missed a day at the gym and decide to skip the whole week instead. I used to approach my goals this way too! If I couldn't commit to writing for an hour every day, I'd skip writing altogether.
But here's what I've learned: small steps add up to big changes! Breaking free from this all-or-nothing thinking is all about embracing progress over perfection. Every small step forward is still progress! Writing for 10 minutes is better than not writing at all; doing a 5-minute workout is better than skipping exercise completely.Next time you're faced with a daunting task, ask yourself: "What's one tiny step I can take right now?" Then take that step and celebrate it!
Breaking Free: Your Action Plan
Now that we’ve identified these signs of being stuck in perfectionism, how do we break free? Here’s your action plan: First off, set non-negotiable deadlines for yourself! Remember that done is better than perfect; give yourself a deadline and stick to it—even if it means putting out work that feels slightly unfinished. Reframe criticism as growth!
Next time someone gives feedback on your work—take a deep breath and ask yourself what can be learned from it instead of taking it personally. Start before you're ready! Set aside some time—maybe even today—to tackle something you've been avoiding without worrying about making it perfect! Celebrate your uniqueness! Make sure you're reminding yourself regularly what makes YOU special—refer back when comparisons arise! Embrace small steps! When faced with daunting tasks—ask yourself what's one tiny thing you can do right now—and then DO IT!
Ready for More Support?
If you're feeling overwhelmed by these signs of perfectionism and want guidance on how to overcome them while building unshakeable confidence in yourself—consider joining my courseEmpowered You.
An online course designed to help you ditch self-doubt and worry, embrace yourtrue self,and build the real confidence you need to live your dream life.
This course dives deeper into strategies for breaking free from perfectionism while helping you embrace your authentic self without fear or judgment!
In ‘Empowered You’, you'll learn practical tools designed specifically for individuals like YOU who want more balance in their lives without getting stuck in cycles of anxiety or self-doubt!
So if you're ready to reclaim your life from perfectionism's grip—join me in Empowered You today
