Why Efforts to Be Perfect Are Usually Futile and What You Should Strive For Instead

Perfectionism is a common problem, but it can be paralyzing and lead to anxiety and stress

We all know the saying, "Perfect is the enemy of good." Well, that's especially true when it comes to being a woman. Trying to be perfect can often lead to paralysis and a feeling that you're never good enough. 

And that's not only frustrating, it's also counterproductive. After all, if you're always focused on trying to be perfect, you'll never have time to actually do anything.

Perfectionists are prone to anxiety and stress. It's easy to feel overwhelmed and anxious when you're always trying to be perfect. And when you're feeling down, it's tough to concentrate on anything else. This can create a vicious cycle that is hard to break free from.

The pressure to be perfect often comes from within

When it comes to the pressure to be perfect, many women feel it from within themselves. This often comes from a place of insecurity or self-doubt. You may doubt your abilities or feel like you're not good enough. 

You may also think that in order to be successful or happy, you need to be flawless in every way. However, this is practically impossible to achieve, resulting in a lot of stress and worry. It also interferes with your productivity and creativity.

By putting so much pressure on yourself, you're setting yourself up for disappointment, and you may find that you never get anything done. This is because you're so focused on avoiding mistakes that you never actually start anything because you become risk-averse and overly cautious. When you place such a premium on avoiding mistakes, you'll never be able to achieve anything. 

Striving for excellence instead of perfection can help you be more productive and happier

It is possible to overcome these problems by striving for excellence instead of perfection. Excellence involves setting high standards but accepting that you will make mistakes along the way. It is also important to focus on the process rather than the outcome, as this will help you stay motivated even if you don't reach your goals every time.

One example of striving for excellence rather than perfection is learning a new skill. When you are first starting out, it is important to set realistic goals and accept that you will make mistakes. However, by focusing on the process and setting high standards, you can gradually improve your skills over time. There's no need to strive for an unattainable goal, just focus on being the best you can be. And, you need to give yourself permission to be imperfect!

Nobody is perfect, so accept your flaws and focus on getting better at what you do 

Some of the most successful women in the world are those who have embraced their imperfections and used them to their advantage. 

For example, J.K. Rowling – The Harry Potter author – has been open about her struggles, and has said that her characters were a way for her to deal with her own issues.

Kate Winslet is one of the most successful actresses in Hollywood. However, it has not always been easy for her. In fact, Winslet has admitted that she has struggled with her self-confidence for most of her life.

While it may seem like these women have it all together, they are both very open about their imperfections. And that is because they understand that perfection is an unrealistic goal.

There is no such thing as a perfect person. We all have our own set of flaws and imperfections. And that’s okay!

Don't let perfectionism hold you back from achieving your goals

Are you ready to break free from the chains of perfectionism?

Start by putting in your best effort, accepting responsibility for your actions, learning from your mistakes, and continuously improving your skills over time.

Remember, mistakes are part of the learning process so don’t be afraid to make them. 

When you adopt this growth mindset, you’ll be able to achieve anything you set your mind to.

It will be worth it! 

I have complete confidence in you, so go out and achieve your dreams!