Strategies for Coping With Perfectionism FROM The Book ‘When Perfect Isn’t Good Enough’

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Strategies for Overcoming Perfectionism From The Book 'When Perfect Isn't Good Enough'

As promised in my last article; How Being A Perfectionist Can Hinder Your Business & Life, I will be telling you the Strategies for Coping with Perfectionism. These come from the book “When Perfect Isn’t Good Enough” written by Martin M. Antony PhD and Richard P. Swinson MD.

In this book, you discover – the root cause of your perfectionism, explore the impact of perfectionism on your life, and find new, proven-effective coping skills to help you overcome your anxiety about making mistakes.

Also includes tips for dealing with other perfectionists and discussions about how perfectionism is linked to worry, depression, anger, social anxiety, and body image.

Now that you have the overview of the book.

Now It’s Time for

The Strategies for Coping with Perfectionism

  • Challenge Your Thoughts.

    As perfectionist tendencies can be dormant in many of us, knowing when they may become an issue and escalate is useful knowledge to have.

    “Rather than assuming one’s beliefs are true, we encourage people to question their beliefs,” – Antony.

    Does a work project have to be done perfectly, even if it is past deadline? Does the house always have to be spotless or can you let it go a bit, especially if you have been sick?

  • Step Back.

    Antony asks those who are perfectionists to ask themselves: How might someone else look at this situation?” or “Would I hold the same high standards for someone else as for myself?”

  • Imagine Less-than-Perfect Situations and Outcomes.

    Challenging one´s take for granted thought patterns can be refreshing, even for non-perfectionists or ´perfectionists-light´. Challenge of accepting imperfectionism is vital.

    The book’s authors suggests people ask themselves what would happen if a situation were less than perfect. Back to that out-of-place pillow.

    It’s suggested that you ask yourself “So What?”

    As people walk through their reactions, and expose themselves to more and more imperfect situations, they become desensitized, he finds.

    Eventually, they can lower their standards.

As you complete these exercises, you’ll find it easier and easier to keep worries at bay and enjoy life — imperfections and all.

Some people will see improvement much more quickly; while for others it will take longer. Don’t be discouraged.

I found these strategies for overcoming perfectionism very helpful. If you want more tips and keep up to date with us – subscribe to our newsletter.

Talk Soon,

Nicky Cane

1 reply
  1. A says:

    Thanks for another magnificent article. Where else could anyone get that type of info in such a perfect way of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I am on the look for such information.

    Reply

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