Perfectionism reduces our confidence – excellence enhances it.
Do you notice that despite all your efforts, the progress is slow, and the work is not as good as you imagined? Do you notice thoughts such as “this is not good enough” or “what if I cannot do this and I fail the course/lose my job?” It is common to experience these feelings when we care about
When work is good enough – managing emotions
Do you find that you no matter how much effort you put into your work you often do not feel satisfied with what you have done? We tend to be very subjective and critical of our work (especially when worried about being evaluated by others, or fear failure). What if you took a step back and viewed
Managing perfectionism: Making progress with your work
Are you having trouble prioritising multiple deadlines? Are you wondering how you will get it all done in time? Do you feel that what you are doing is not good enough? Do you notice you are not satisfied with your work, despite working hard to make progress? If so, you are not alone. It is common for us to experience these feelings when we care about producing work of a high standard.
However, the relentless pursuit of a flawless piece of work often leads to feeling dissatisfied and the experience of low mood. This is described as perfectionism, a condition that can develop as a result of pursuing impossible standards. Over a prolonged period, it can lead to stress and a negative impact on our health. It can undermine our confidence in our ability, and we can lose hope in our capacity to get things done.