{"id":154,"date":"2021-07-29T10:34:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-29T10:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.qandle.com\/blog\/?p=154"},"modified":"2024-01-08T16:19:53","modified_gmt":"2024-01-08T16:19:53","slug":"an-ultimate-guide-to-the-perfectionist-trap-at-workplace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.qandle.com\/blog\/an-ultimate-guide-to-the-perfectionist-trap-at-workplace\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding the Pitfalls of Perfectionism: The Trap in the Workplace"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

At first glance, perfectionism can seem like a valuable trait. Demanding perfection from yourself and others feels like something good. And indeed, some of the most admired people in the world can properly be called perfectionists. Steve Jobs is perhaps one of the most famous examples of a perfectionist who changed the world. However, the truth is, for all the stories of Job\u2019s perfectionist streak changing Apple into the giant we know today, many believe his perfectionism also stood as a huge wall to his progress and can be counted among the reasons for his untimely death. Malcom Gladwell, offering his insight into Job\u2019s death said this about Job\u2019s refusal to wear a simple facemask: \u201cJobs ripped it off and mumbled that he hated the design and refused to wear it. Though barely able to speak, he ordered them to bring five different options for the mask and he would pick a design he liked\u2026\u201d. From this we get a hint of the debilitating paralysis that can come with perfectionism.https:\/\/giphy.com\/embed\/LOcPt9gfuNOSI<\/p>\n\n

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What it means to be a perfectionist most of all is to have incredibly high standards. Almost impossibly high. To some, this can be a source of great motivation. But to most, this can be a trap. It\u2019s not as if trying very hard to achieve your best is an inherently bad motivation. Unfortunately, perfectionism keeps us from accepting the very possible outcome that we cannot at all times perfect our work to the best it can possibly be. Not everything can work out perfectly. A mindset of perfectionism will have us refuse even perfectly satisfactory work for the sake of a mythical perfection that remains out there somewhere. Eventually, there is only one path this road leads to\u2014burnout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To help you avoid falling into the perfectionist trap, here are five signs that you may be dangerously close:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1) Dangerously High Standards<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s obviously important to have high standards for yourself. Everyone wants to do their best and having high standards is definitely a part of achieving your best. However, there is a difference between wanting to do your best and setting your sights so high that you couldn\u2019t possibly hope to meet them. You may believe that in order to live your dream you have to work hard. And while this may be true, working hard doesn\u2019t mean that everything has to be perfect. You want to avoid a situation where your high standards for yourself prevents you from even completing your work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2) Too Critical of Yourself and Others<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This trait is seen in many so-called perfectionists\u2014Steve Jobs being a principle example. Being able to look at your work and the work of your peers critically is, like high standards, an admirable trait. However, also like high standards, it can be taken to an extreme. An extreme where you are constantly finding faults wherever you look. Like a person who sends their meal back to the chef many times without eating, your work will remain forever unfinished if you don\u2019t ease on the gas a little.https:\/\/giphy.com\/embed\/26gYL5WTYK4OX1QIw<\/p>\n\n\n\n