don’t let perfectionism rob you of your feats
“We don't abandon our pursuits because we despair of ever perfecting them.” — Epictetus
Perfectionism can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it can push you to strive for excellence and achieve great things. On the other hand, it can lead to a never-ending cycle of self-criticism and self-doubt, which can hinder your progress and ultimately rob you of your achievements. It's important to strike a balance between the pursuit of excellence and the acceptance of imperfection.
When you set impossibly high standards for yourself, you run the risk of becoming paralyzed by fear and self-doubt. You may avoid taking risks or trying new things because you fear that you won't be able to do them perfectly. This can prevent you from achieving your goals and can hold you back from experiencing the satisfaction that comes with success.
There’s a great truth to the maxim: Another way to spell “perfectionism” is p-a-r-a-l-y-s-i-s.
Perfectionism can also lead to an unhealthy focus on mistakes and failures. When you're a perfectionist, you may spend more time criticizing yourself for what went wrong than celebrating what went right. This can be demotivating and can make it difficult to stay positive and motivated.
Furthermore, perfectionism can foster a lack of perspective. When you're focused on achieving perfection, you may lose sight of the bigger picture. You may become so focused on the details that you lose sight of the overall objective. This can prevent you from seeing the progress you've made and can make it difficult to appreciate your accomplishments.
Don’t fall prey to perfectionism, and don’t let it rob you of your feats. Instill the habit to focus on progress rather than perfection. Celebrate your successes, no matter how small they may seem. Recognize that mistakes and failures are a natural part of the learning process, and use them as opportunities to grow and improve.
One more thing: be kind to yourself. Treat yourself with the same kindness and compassion that you would offer a friend who is struggling. Recognize that you are human and that it's okay to make mistakes and experience setbacks.
So, while perfectionism can have some advantages, it can also be the thief of achievement. By focusing on progress rather than perfection, embracing the learning process, and being kind to yourself, you can achieve your lofty goals and live a happy and fulfilling life.
Key point: Don't let perfectionism hold you back from realizing your full potential.
