Letting go of perfectionism
High standards can help you succeed, but when nothing ever feels good enough, they start to weigh on you and lead to procrastination and exhaustion. Perfectionism can be eased with practice, and methods from cognitive behavioural therapy are helpful for this. This guide gives you practical exercises for everyday life.
You will need
- A notebook
- A list of tasks you are putting off
- A timer
- 2–4 weeks of practice
Steps
Recognise your own demands
Write down the rules you follow, such as “I must not make mistakes” or “everything has to be finished before I show it”. Think about where they come from.
Count the cost
Define a good-enough standard
Limit the time
Do a small mistake experiment
Notice your successes
Talk to yourself like a friend
Seek help if needed
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