“Perfection is the enemy of progress.”
— Winston Churchill
This quote is spot on when it comes to the perils of perfectionism; it’s not a strength but rather an obstacle to our work and careers. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), perfectionism is defined as the tendency to demand of oneself or others an extremely high or even flawless level of performance, in excess of what is required by the situation.
Earlier in my career I struggled with perfectionistic tendencies. I was highly motivated and conscientious and wanted my work to be flawless – always striving for top grades and seeking praise from my professors and bosses. As I moved into management and started juggling more responsibilities, I learned to embrace the 80-20 rule. This comes from the Pareto Principle, which states that about 80% of outcomes or results stem from 20% of the causes or inputs – so it’s about focusing on what’s most important.
I reframed the 80-20 rule to also mean that if I go 80% of the way on something (get it to 80% of perfect), that is enough to move it forward successfully. I often get feedback from others to improve deliverables without needing to invest an extra 20% effort to absolutely perfect them. This 80% rule has allowed me to juggle multiple balls in my work, personal, and volunteer life, and be okay knowing that nothing will be perfect, but my outputs will be solid, and stuff will get done. The quote below beautifully exemplifies this concept.
“Done is better than perfect”
— Sheryl Sandberg
Are You a Perfectionist at Work?
Ask yourself or someone you trust who’s close to you at work the following questions:
- Do you find yourself setting unrealistic goals or standards that are impossible to meet?
- Do you fear failure to the point that you are anxious about each project or deliverable?
- Does your inner voice constantly judge and criticize you for not producing to the standard you set?
If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, you are showing signs of perfectionism.
Perfectionism Impedes Performance and Well-being
Perfectionism at work does not lead to better performance or productivity. Instead, it is self-sabotaging and leads to suboptimal behavior, like overdelivering when it’s unnecessary. According to research published in the Harvard Business Review, performance and perfectionism are not related to each other – perfectionists are not better or worse performers than non-perfectionists.
One reason for this is because perfectionists spend too much time on certain projects, and as a result neglect other tasks or projects. Their perfectionism slows them down, leading to overthinking or analysis paralysis. Ultimately, the constant self-criticism that comes with perfectionism breeds anxiety, depression, and ultimately burnout.
What Can You Do About Your Perfectionism?
The first step in addressing your perfectionism is to admit that you are struggling with it.
- Try submitting something before you have deemed it perfect. This will feel uncomfortable but remind yourself that getting it 80% of the way there is normally enough to keep it moving forward. Then ask for feedback rather than avoiding criticism.
- Trust yourself: if you make a mistake or fail, be sure to keep trying. Ask yourself what you learned from the mistake, and what you will do differently next time, then move on! Those who accomplish the most use failure to inspire continued effort.
- Be kind to yourself, you are a human being with both strengths and imperfections. Self-compassion alleviates the negative effects of perfectionism.
If you are suffering from perfectionism that’s causing you significant anxiety, stress, or depression, get support from a professional who can help you address it. This is something that a psychologist or psychotherapist can help you work through, and my team at Canada Career Counselling has helped many people overcome in the past fifteen years. Perfectionism is not your friend, but you should also not fear it. You can overcome it to thrive in your career and life.
“Have no fear of perfection – you’ll never reach it.”
— Salvador Dalí
Dr. Laura Hambley is a thought leader on Career and Workplace Psychology, passionate about career development. She founded Canada Career Counselling in 2009, however has specialized in career development since 1999 through her Master’s research and counselling in different settings, including outplacement and career transition firms in Alberta.
Dr. Laura learned early on that effective career planning enhances wellbeing, confidence, and clarity in one’s work and life. Combining the expertise of Psychology with Career Counselling is what she sought to do as she founded and evolved Canada Career Counselling from Calgary to Toronto, Victoria, and Halifax, providing Career Counselling and Career Coaching to thousands of clients over many years.
Dr. Laura enjoys her work as a Career Counsellor and Career Coach to professionals who are in mid- or senior stages of their career, helping them navigate complex career decisions and pivots. Her extensive experience as an Industrial/Organizational Psychologist, enables her to understand and address the challenges faced by individuals, leaders, teams, and organizational cultures. Having consulted to a wide range of organizations since the late 1990s, and becoming a future of work thought leader, has enabled her to help individuals and organizations navigate the latest trends impacting today’s organizations.
Dr. Laura fulfilled her dream of having her own podcast in 2020, called Where Work Meets Life™, where she interviews experts globally on topics around career fulfillment and thriving humans and organizations. She is a sought-after keynote speaker for organizations, associations, conferences, and events.
In addition to her Master’s in Counselling Psychology (1999), Laura holds a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology (2005) from the University of Calgary. She is a Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists, as well as a member of the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta and the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM). She also contributes to teaching, supervision, and research as an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at the University of Calgary.
For more resources, look into Dr. Laura’s organizations:
