I have struggled with perfectionism for quite some time. It developed in high school, when I had finally found confidence in my academic abilities after years of C grades and high expectations from family members. Over time, I began to attribute my self worth to my academic performance, which led to a desire for perfection in my work. Although I still consider myself a perfectionist, I have learned how to be more satisfied with completion over perfection, and how to have more self-compassion. Below are some tips that have helped me to cope with perfectionism!
Completion over Perfection, Especially for Smaller Tasks
I learned “completion over perfection” from a former supervisor, and it made a huge impact on me. Perfectionism can be exhausting, so it’s better to save your energy for more high-stakes projects. If you find yourself stuck on a small task, pause and step back: how important is it that this task comes out perfectly? Will this task have a long-term impact on your life? These questions can put your desire for perfection into perspective, and help you to accept that something is often better than nothing.
Set Time Limits for Tasks
Time limits can be a simple yet effective way to trick your mind into working more efficiently. If you think that a task is going to take you 30 minutes, try setting a timer for 15 or 20 minutes instead. Giving yourself limited time to complete a task may eliminate room for perfectionism by forcing you to make snap decisions. While you should still think critically and thoroughly, this method can be effective for those who tend to dwell on ideas. Similarly, I have heard of people playing fast-paced music (e.g. Mario Kart music) to speed up their work. Again, while I do not encourage rushing through your work, timers and/or energetic music may be ways for perfectionists to cope with an upcoming deadline.
Practice Imperfection
Have you ever just stared at a blank page, waiting for the perfect words to come to mind? I will admit that I did that when writing this blog post! Eventually, I grew impatient and remembered that it is better to start with a rough draft, rather than waiting for perfection. If you find yourself struggling to produce something, start with the obvious. When it comes to an assignment, I like to grab the rubric or assignment description and use it to create an outline. Write down any ideas that come to mind–you can always revise or delete them later. The more ideas you throw out there, the easier it will be to narrow down your best options. It is rare that your first draft will be your final product, so do not be afraid to try out your imperfect ideas first.
Ask Others for Help
If you find yourself at an impasse, try turning to others for help. You could ask a classmate, a friend, a family member, or even an instructor! Maybe you are tired from a long day or you just cannot think of something; so many people around you are willing to help those who ask for it. If you have ideas, ask someone else what they think about it. What questions do they have? What parts are clear or unclear? How would they approach this? A conversation like this can be energizing, inspiring, or even just a short break from your work in progress.
I hope that these tips can help you to practice progress over perfection. Remember that perfectionism is common, and it is important to give yourself grace as you figure out what tools and techniques work best for you. Good luck!
Isabel Greenberg
MEd Higher and Postsecondary Education (in progress), B.A. English (Linguistics)