Here's how to deal with perfectionism in the workplace

Perfectionism can be a valuable trait, but when it gets out of control, it can negatively affect your mental health at work. Do you consider yourself a perfectionist? If so, watch out for the dangers! In this article, we offer practical tips for dealing with perfectionism in a healthy way.

What is perfectionism?

Perfectionism is the tendency to strive for flawlessness in all your tasks and activities. People with perfectionist tendencies often set high standards for themselves and are critical of their own performance. While striving for excellence is not a problem in itself, excessive perfectionism can lead to significant stress and anxiety in the workplace.

The impact of perfectionism on you as an employee

• Increased stress: As a perfectionist, you can often experience excessive stress because you put yourself under pressure to achieve perfect results. This can lead to physical and mental exhaustion.
• Reduced productivity: You often spend too much time on a task because you are striving for perfection, making you less productive.
• Fear and uncertainty: The constant focus on mistakes can lead to feelings of fear and uncertainty, which can hinder you from taking initiative or risks.
• Problems working together: As a perfectionist, you may sometimes have difficulty working together because you set high standards for yourself and others. This can lead to conflict and communication problems within your team.

As an employee, how can you deal with perfectionism in a healthy way?

Are you running into the points mentioned above? Then it's time to take a close look at your perfectionism. We give you some tips for dealing with your perfectionism in a healthy way:

• Set realistic goals: Learn to set realistic and achievable goals for yourself. Understand that mistakes and imperfections are normal and part of the learning process.
• Break down tasks: Break large tasks into smaller, manageable steps. This makes it easier to make progress without becoming overwhelmed.
• Be kind to yourself: Develop self-compassion and allow yourself to make mistakes from time to time. Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding as you would treat a friend.
• Seek feedback and support: Seek feedback from colleagues and supervisors to get realistic assessments of your work. It can help to hear different perspectives.
• Focus on the process: Try to enjoy the process of working on a task instead of focusing only on the end result. This reduces pressure and makes work more enjoyable.
• Seek professional help if needed: If perfectionism is seriously affecting your mental health, do not hesitate to seek professional help from a therapist or coach who specializes in this area.

Striving for quality is important, and you can be proud of yourself if you value this. But, it is equally crucial to learn when to moderate perfectionism to protect your mental well-being. By following the aforementioned tips, you can learn to deal with perfectionism in a healthy and productive way, both for yourself and for your colleagues.

Engaging more extensively with mental health?

In our online learning platform, you will find an extensive training offer in the area of being and staying mentally and physically healthy. For example, think of online training courses on stress management, mindfulness, healthy eating, and easy exercises for the office.

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