Why the pursuit of perfecting your tasks will always derail your career
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Your girlfriend cries and shares. She is always perfect at work, and the boss has passed her by again, choosing a team leader for a new project. He put in a colleague who just beats the hell out of the assignments. Both unfair and insulting.
It’s not actually better. Friends should not spare unpleasant truths when they will help. So do your best to explain the pitfalls of perfectionism.
You can tell what you have read on the subject in a slightly neutral way. Usually perfectionists do not appoint them as managers. They make high demands on themselves and strive to be perfect in everything, which is why it happens that they waste energy and time in superfluous details.
Their pursuit of perfection is also aimed at others – place too high expectations and demands on them, due to which the whole team can reduce its productivity. And it can lead to conflicts.
“Perfectionism is a label we give to the need to keep working until we eliminate absolutely every flaw, even the small ones. It sounds like a good quality, but in practice there is a problem,” says Art Markman, psychologist and author of the book “Smart Thinking” .
Fidgeting causes one to spend too much time and energy on any one project, which takes away from other priorities. Also, no matter how much work you’ve put in, there are probably factors you can’t account for that will require you to make changes at some point.
Treat it like software, not hardwareArt Markman recommends and explains. If you make a TV or a mixer, your product is only as good as when it leaves the factory. The software is designed with continuous improvement in mind. Next week the developer may fix some bugs and add features.
“Most of the projects you work on are like software. If you create something that isn’t perfect, you can probably fix it after you find some flaws,” the psychologist says. “You don’t have to feel like you have to get an A.” evaluation for your project when it is first presented to the world. Instead, you should create something that receives a positive evaluation.”
If you are a perfectionist, you must learn to put yourself under controlnot to get stuck and move on.
“It is extremely important to realize that most of the things you do are not worth your maximum effort. Most of the time the right approach is to do a job that is good enoughto satisfy the situation. And that means you should find a compromise between effort and accuracy. The more you work on a project, the more likely you are to improve it. But the key is to put in the right amount of effort to make the project acceptable so that you can save your time for other priorities,” advises Art Markman.
He points out two practically tacticswhich you can apply.
It is one to complete the task to a level that you think is acceptable and to see what reaction you will get from others. You will probably find that you have done a good job.
If you know you need to complete a task before it’s 100% perfect, but you feel like you still can’t do it, ask a competent colleague you trust professionally and personally for help. Let him you to say when you are ready. Give him regular feedback on how far you’ve come, and count on him to let you know when the project is good enough to finish.
The most important thing is to listen to the words of your colleague, emphasizes the psychologist. It emphasizes this because it is very difficult for the perfectionist to give control to someone else. For him, it’s like leaving it to chance. For this reason, you have to make a very firm decision that you will trust the colleague and stop at finishing the task to complete perfection.
You will find it easier to implement each of the two practical steps if start the training sessions with more minor tasks.
By following these tactics, you’ll gradually break out of the perfectionism trap and make it work for you, not against you.
Psychologists warn to beware of the so-called socially imposed perfectionism - others have too high demands on you and pressure you to satisfy them. Very often a person succumbs to them and internalizes them, i.e. begins to make great demands on himself. This is dangerous because it leads to overexertion, constant tension, risk of burnout, mental disorders.
Don’t be obsessed with perfectionism at work, experts advise. Do not identify with success or failure, do not build your overall sense of human significance and dignity according to the judgments of bosses and colleagues. You need a more diverse sense of your own self. You need buffers in your personal life that will take you away from the pursuit of professional perfection.
Think about it, because a study by Yale psychologist Dr. Patricia Linville found that people with a harmonious family and strong friendship circles are more likely to be successful in their careers without being maniacal perfectionists. And vice versa.
In “The Right Man” you can read more:
If the boss doesn’t care about your personal life, you won’t be successful at work with him
Instead of Kindness – Strategically Using Anger for Career Success
How to deal with an incompetent colleague
Individualist or conformist? A civilizational choice that determines success
Do not envy colleagues, admire them and you will be more successful
Discipline – your superpower for success
Lazy boss - overloaded subordinates, or the risks of limited management style
How to deal with a boastful colleague and why this is passive-aggressive behavior
Why must you alienate colleagues who infect you with stress?
Diagnosis: Occupational anhedonia. Symptoms and specific steps to get out
Without courage there is no glory or how to achieve success with the 10 percent rule
Time.news Interview: The Perils of Perfectionism in Professional Success
Editor: Welcome to Time.news, where we delve into the complexities of professional growth and workplace dynamics. Today, we’re joined by Dr. Art Markman, an esteemed psychologist and author of “Smart Thinking.” Dr. Markman, thank you for being here. Let’s discuss the intriguing yet often underrated subject of perfectionism in the workplace.
Dr. Markman: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss this crucial topic.
Editor: Many people believe that striving for perfection is a sign of dedication and professionalism. However, your research suggests otherwise. Can you explain how perfectionism might derail a person’s career?
Dr. Markman: Absolutely. While the desire to excel can be motivating, perfectionism can be counterproductive. Perfectionists often set excessively high standards for themselves and others, which can lead to wasting time on minute details that don’t significantly impact the outcome. This not only drains energy but can also result in conflict within teams when their lofty expectations create tension.
Editor: So, perfectionism may actually hinder productivity rather than enhance it?
Dr. Markman: Precisely! When someone is focused on perfecting every aspect of a project, they lose sight of broader priorities. It’s akin to obsessing over a minor flaw in a software program while neglecting essential features or user feedback. The idea is to treat projects like software that can be improved continuously rather than hardware that must leave the factory flawless.
Editor: That’s an intriguing analogy. You recommend finding a balance between effort and accuracy. Can you elaborate on that?
Dr. Markman: Certainly! It’s vital to recognize that not every task requires your maximum effort. The goal should be to produce work that is ‘good enough’ to meet the requirements of the situation. This means knowing when to stop refining a project and move on, saving energy for other important tasks.
Editor: You mentioned practical strategies to combat perfectionism. Could you share those with our audience?
Dr. Markman: Of course. First, I urge perfectionists to complete a task to an acceptable level and gauge feedback from peers. They may often find that their work is better than they expected. Secondly, if they’re feeling stuck, they should reach out to a trusted colleague for input. A fresh perspective can provide the necessary push to let go of the need for absolute perfection.
Editor: Trusting someone else with your work can be difficult, especially for perfectionists. How do they develop that level of trust?
Dr. Markman: That’s a challenge indeed. Establishing that trust requires a conscious decision to be vulnerable and receptive to feedback. It’s essential to start with minor tasks before tackling bigger projects, as this builds confidence over time. Relying on the validation of a trusted colleague can help alleviate the anxiety associated with releasing control.
Editor: In your insights, you also mentioned the concept of socially imposed perfectionism. Could you clarify what that is and its potential impact?
Dr. Markman: Sure! Socially imposed perfectionism occurs when external pressures—often from bosses, colleagues, or societal expectations—create unrealistic standards. When individuals internalize these demands, they may experience heightened stress and risk burnout. It’s crucial for professionals to maintain a diverse sense of self that isn’t solely contingent on their job performance.
Editor: That’s vital advice. In closing, what would be your key takeaway for those struggling with perfectionism in the workplace?
Dr. Markman: The key is to recognize that perfectionism can be a double-edged sword. While it may stem from a positive wanting to do well, unchecked perfectionism can lead to stress and reduced performance. Embrace the idea that good enough is often all you need and understand that setbacks can guide you toward improvement rather than define your self-worth.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Markman, for sharing your valuable insights. It’s been a pleasure discussing how to navigate the complex landscape of perfectionism in our careers.
Dr. Markman: Thank you for having me. It’s crucial for professionals to find a healthy balance as they navigate their career paths.