Why Perfectionism Holds You Back from Achieving Success
Have you ever found yourself working on a project, constantly tweaking it, only to feel like it’s never ‘good enough’ to finish? That’s perfectionism at work.
Perfectionism, as defined by the American Psychology Association, is “the tendency to demand of others or of oneself an extremely high or even flawless level of performance, in excess of what is required by the situation” (source). Perfectionism is often mistaken for a driver of success because it’s commonly associated with having high standards, attention to detail, and a strong work ethic—traits that are generally seen as positive in the workplace. In reality, the demand for perfection can actually hold you back because it leads to procrastination, missed opportunities, and burnout due to an overwhelming fear of failure or criticism.
The False Promise of Perfectionism
On the surface, perfectionists are seen as striving for excellence and consistently pushing themselves to achieve the best possible outcome. When you dig a little deeper, however, a perfectionist’s demand for high standards isn’t focused on doing their best – it’s about avoiding mistakes at all costs. As a chronic perfectionist, I’ve definitely fallen victim to avoiding hitting “post” or “publish” on a project because I was afraid of how everyone would respond (which is completely out of my control). It took me over a year to publish my first digital product, and I’m still stuck in the next phase because I keep obsessing over how to package it.
How Perfectionism Sabotages Progress
This fear of not meeting impossibly high standards (in my case, the absence of any negative feedback) leads to many instances of avoidance and delayed work. Perfectionists often fail to launch ideas because they don’t want to fail and are terrified of criticism. The mental and emotional toll of trying to achieve an unrealistic ideal leads to exhaustion and eventually, diminished performance. All too often, as the APA elaborates in its definition, perfectionism is “associated with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and other mental health problems.” Research published in the Journal of Research in Personality found that individuals with high levels of perfectionism are more prone to procrastination due to the fear of making mistakes. This behavior leads to decreased productivity over time because they delay starting or completing tasks to avoid imperfection (source).
Real Success Comes from Imperfect Action
Success is built on momentum, not perfection. The act of putting your work out there, learning from mistakes, and improving along the way is what leads to growth. Oprah Winfrey’s journey from poverty and hardship to becoming a media mogul is a powerful example of how embracing imperfections leads to success. Early in her career, she was demoted from her role as a news anchor because her emotional style was seen as a flaw. Instead of giving up, Oprah embraced her empathy and authenticity, which resonated with audiences. Her ability to connect on a deep, personal level made The Oprah Winfrey Show a massive success. Even when her network, OWN, initially struggled, Oprah openly acknowledged the challenges and worked to realign the brand, proving that vulnerability and learning from failures are crucial to long-term success.
Winfrey’s story is a reminder that focusing on progress over perfection is what brings success. We can follow her example by embracing our own imperfections, setting realistic goals and celebrating small wins.
Tips for Overcoming Perfectionism:
Set realistic expectations for yourself and others.
Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps.
Learn to appreciate feedback and mistakes as tools for growth.
Celebrate ‘good enough’ as a step toward continual improvement.
Conclusion
Perfectionism may seem like a path to success, but in reality, it creates more barriers than breakthroughs. By striving for impossible standards, we end up missing opportunities for growth, learning, and progress. Real success comes from taking imperfect action, embracing feedback, and allowing ourselves to make mistakes along the way. Oprah Winfrey's story is proof that vulnerability and authenticity are far more powerful than the illusion of perfection. So, instead of waiting for the perfect moment or outcome, start where you are, embrace your imperfections, and trust that consistent progress will lead you to success. Remember, the journey is about growth, not flawless execution.