1: Introduction
2: The Danger of Perfectionism
You might have heard of perfectionist people that it helps
them to get the most out of themselves. I am of the opinion that it does not.
Perfectionism is trying to do all things in life perfect in order to get
validation from others. There are 2 dangerous things to notice here:
first and foremost doing something perfect in your life is an impossible goal
and secondly seeking constant validation from others in everything you do is
unhealthy.
I see the Pareto Principle, also called the 80/20 rule,
as the “cure” for perfectionism. The Pareto Principle says that 80% of the
output comes from 20% of the input. In case of perfectionism the resting 20% of
the output comes from 80% of your input. Let’s say you have to write a paper.
You have written the whole paper and now you need to reread and adjust.
Perfectionist people will seek to remove every error possible and rewrite each
sentence that doesn’t sound amazing. They thus put 80% of their effort on 20%
of the input because the small errors will not significantly increase their
score. If you want to read more about the Pareto Principle, I advise you to
read my blog post called “The Pareto Principle: How 20% Effort can Yield 80%
Results” which you can find in the top right corner of this page under archive.
3: Embracing Authenticity
In the previous example about the paper, I described
perfectionism regarding tasks. But it can also be applied to you as a person. Imagine
a world where everyone is flawlessly perfect. How monotonous and uninspiring
would that be! Our imperfections make us human and provide opportunities for
connection and empathy. When we embrace our flaws, we invite authenticity
into our lives and allow others to do the same. By being open about our
struggles, we create space for genuine relationships and foster an environment
of acceptance and understanding.
4: Learning from Mistakes
Mistakes are inevitable and often viewed as failures.
However, they hold immense value in your personal growth and development. Every
misstep is an opportunity to learn, adapt and become better versions of
ourselves. The most successful individuals have encountered numerous
setbacks along their journeys, but it is their ability to embrace and learn
from these mistakes that sets them apart. Embracing imperfection means
accepting that we are not infallible and being willing to embrace the lessons
that arise from our failures.
5: Finding Beauty in Uniqueness
Perfection often implies a standardization of ideals, but true beauty lies in our individuality. Your imperfections make you unique and shapes your identity. They are the brushstrokes that create the masterpiece of your life. When you embrace your quirks and idiosyncrasies, you not only gain a deeper understanding of yourself but also encourage others to celebrate your own uniqueness.6: Conclusion
The most important thing I want you to remember is that perfectionism
only leads to unhappiness because you seek for constant validation from others.
In a world that often pressures us to conform to an unattainable standard of perfection,
it is in our flaws that our true beauty and authenticity shine through. By
letting go of the need for perfection, we open ourselves up to personal growth,
resilience, and meaningful connections.
7: Your Next Steps
1. Practice the 80/20 rule: Take a moment to reflect
on tasks or projects where you tend to get caught up in perfectionism. Identify
the key aspects that truly matter and focus your energy and attention on those.
Remember, perfection is not necessary for success, and striving for it can
drain your time and energy unnecessarily. (30 seconds)
2. Embrace vulnerability: Choose 1 area of your life
where you feel the need to appear perfect to others. Take a small step towards
authenticity by sharing a genuine struggle or imperfection with someone you
trust. By allowing yourself to be vulnerable, you create space for deeper
connections and invite others to do the same. (60 seconds)
3. Stay connected: Click the "about me" on
the right side and hit the Pinterest button to don’t miss my further
posts about personal development. It will only take 10 seconds of your time,
but the benefits of staying informed and motivated are priceless. (10
seconds)
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