Why Perfectionism is Dangerous

Perfectionists always want to have EVERYTHING they need before they start. But how do you start anything if you’re always looking for that perfect situation every time?

Sometimes, all you have is enough to take the first move. Many successful professionals entrepreneurs will tell you this too. Take action now!

Beware! Sometimes in the pursuit of attaining perfection, you incur more costs such as spending more money, engaging more resources and entertaining more delay.

In fact, perfectionism leads to PROCRASTINATION!

Could perfectionism be frustrating the completion of your objectives, goals and tasks?

Why don’t you strive for excellence instead, with SMART goals - Specific Measurable Achievable Realistic and within a Time frame. The emphasis on REALISTIC!

Not good enough…..not good enough…..not good enough…..not yet! These words can easily spiral you down the path of perfection. Guess what? It is exhausting, and kicks frustration in!

This is why you should define your goals with clear metrics to highlight when you’ve hit your acceptable standard. Again, be realistic. Don’t trade your energy for impossible outcomes.

Ever tried leading a team and telling team members what they have done is never good enough? You won’t get a better team or better outcomes. What you will get is tension and demotivation.

A better approach is to motivate the team with a goal of excellence. That way they are inspired to put their very best in delivering exceptionally and improving at the same time.

The origin of the word ‘excel’ is Latin and it means ‘out’ or ‘beyond’.

It naturally represents forward movement, progression and motion. It is definitely both process and result oriented in its nature and that’s what makes it a powerful word.

Let me remind you of this quote by Harriet Braiker, “striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing”.