Many among us waste too much time trying to be perfect. The quest for perfectionism isn’t bad – but, it is a never ending journey. Basically, there are two categories of perfectionism: adaptive and maladaptive.
The former focuses on setting realistic and high standards. Such people follow their goals without compromising their self-esteem. They aren’t hypocritical about their work, but invest massive amounts of time and energy into important projects.
Maladaptive perfectionists feel the constant pressure to meet an unrealistic standard. They procrastinate because they expect 101% perfection in every work they do. They are anxious and even prone to depression.
• You procrastinate because the task seems monumental
• Constant editing causes delays in finishing a job
• You suffer because you aren’t allowing yourself to make mistakes which are critical to any learning process.
• You have a lot of anxiety and stress because you are always worried about your work
Nobody Is Perfect
You need to realize that you’re not perfect; neither is anybody else. Remember that you can’t have success without mistakes. So embrace imperfection and mistakes. Realize that failures are a common factor. Think back to when you were a kid learning to ride a bicycle. You probably fell off a ton of times, and you weren’t worried about falling. If it took so many attempts to do something as simple as riding a bicycle, why do you want to write an essay or earn an A at the first try?
Get Started And Make A Mess
Just get started and allow things to get messy. Work in private and don’t worry about the state of the project for the first time. In his memoir “On Writing,” Stephen King advises us to write with the door closed and rewrite with the door opened. Start with the rough project and then invite people for constructive criticism.
Improve A Tiny Bit Each Time
Creating things, putting them out there and having your mistakes pointed out, are a part of the learning process. Both skill and knowledge come through countless iterations and not through flawless execution on the first attempt.
Don’t Compare Yourself With Others
A beginner shouldn’t measure his\her work against that of a master’s. That’s not a fair comparison. Don’t hold your work against others and judge yourself based on that standard. The only thing you should measure your work against is your previous work.
Work With A Deadline
If your perfectionism is causing you stress and anxiety, then it’s good to set deadlines and force yourself to finish. If you struggle initially, get help from online class help tutors. We can manage your entire academic work within the due date.
