From when we are young children, from schoolwork to sports, people tell us it’s important to do the best we can. During adulthood, there’s even more pressure to be as perfect as possible, especially when doing things like meeting with clients, interviewing for a job or even going on a date.
However, trying to be perfect all the time can be extremely stressful. Why? Because it’s simply not possible to be perfect. Everyone has faults and shortcomings. Embracing them can allow us to get a lot more enjoyment out of life. However, overcoming that unattainable desire for perfectionism can be tough. Keep reading to get some pointers on how to remind yourself that perfection isn’t everything.
Reshape Your Perception
If you ask someone what their definition of perfection is, he or she might mention that it means “without blemish or fault,” or something similar. There are some scenarios in life where you do want something that’s as close to perfection as possible, such as when purchasing a new car. On the other hand, there’s no reason to expect yourself to be perfect. Recognizing the things about ourselves that aren’t perfect is a great way to learn and grow. After all, if you were perfect, there’d be no incentive to do anything related to self-improvement for the rest of your life.
Set Realistic Goals
Aiming to be perfect also means you’ll always end up disappointed, despite your best efforts. Instead of striving for perfection, just decide you’ll try to be better than you were in the past. That may mean you attempt to overcome a bad habit, such as always doubting yourself, or it could mean you get better than you were before by making a point to practice particular skills or hobbies, such as speaking confidently in public or becoming a better guitar player.
Understand Your Limitations
It’s also crucial to work toward trying to be content with the fact that even if you didn’t do something perfectly, you at least gave it your best shot. Some people really get anxious by dwelling over things they’ve done that they no longer have any control over. There aren’t any benefits that can come from this, because the timeframe in which you can influence a situation has passed. Coach yourself to get into the mindset of doing the best you can at every opportunity. After that, don’t allow yourself to think too much about how things went and just let it go. Once you’re comfortable with your natural limitations and come to accept them, this increases the chances you’ll deal with regret less often.
Don’t Be Too Concerned With Things That Might Not Even Happen
Some people who are habitual perfectionists play out possibilities in their mind’s eye so much that they don’t get preoccupied about mistakes they’ve already made, but rather the things that could happen. Whenever you feel yourself slipping toward that tendency, gently force yourself to stay focused with a reminder that it’s best to respond to things in the moment rather than jumping ahead of yourself and pondering over possible future mistakes.
Treat Mistakes As Learning Experiences
Immediately after making a mistake, it can feel like the world is coming to an end. However, when looking back at those slip-ups, it often becomes clear that there were lessons to be learned from them. Before starting to get upset at yourself for making a mistake, try to look at the situation in a more positive way by asking yourself what you learned as a result.
It can be very difficult to get out of the rut that longing for perfectionism can create; however, it’s not an impossible task. Stay motivated to make positive changes by trying some or all of the tips you’ve just read. It’ll take time, but eventually you should start to realize that trying to be perfect is pointless.
