Perfectionism is Not Your Friend

I recently had the honor of coaching women leaders living and working in Uganda and Kenya. During one of our sessions where we talked about what holds us back, this came up…

Perfectionism.

As someone who struggles with this myself, I have had to develop a very clear stand.

Perfectionism is not helping me be a better worker, parent, partner, or friend. Perfectionism is not the “thing” that drives or motivates me. Contrary, perfectionism is a sneaky saboteur, a critic whispering in my ear, “you’re not ready, check your work again, you are missing something, this isn’t good enough, you are not good enough.”

If you’re hearing these whispers too- it isn’t because there is something wrong with you. It is because you are human.

Perfectionism= Procrastination

Perfectionism = Never getting started out of fear of missing the mark

Perfectionism= Obsessing instead of producing

Perfectionism= Comparing instead of creating

Perfectionism= Stopping instead of moving forward

Sound familiar? The antidote to perfectionism is integrity with your core values and alignment with what you most want do in the world. Acting and making decisions based on your core values will support you in working, parenting, connecting, and leading authentically- free of the tactics and habits that come with “getting it right” to meet an unattainable standard. What will consistently drive and sustain your motivation and commitment are your core values.

How is perfectionism distracting you from what you truly want? Name it, make a plan to put it at bay, take a look at your core values, and then choose to take action for the sake of what truly matters to you.