Beyond Perfect: A quick guide to overcoming Perfectionism
Overcoming perfectionism isn’t about lowering your standards—it's about changing how you relate to those standards.
Everyone’s Favourite Flaw
Perfectionism - according to most job interviews, it’s everyone’s favourite flaw. People blame their perfectionism for missed deadlines, failure to launch and general inaction. I’ve been there – done that.
Despite my very average running ability, I have obsessed over a Boston Qualifying cut-off time for years. I am immensely frustrating like that – if I know there is a goal to chase, I convince myself that anything less is failure (note – no one who has every run 42.2 consecutive kilometres is a failure).
I have chased this goal so rigidly that it has caused me to pull out of races I wasn’t “ready” for, over-train to the extent of multiple stress fractures, and general fatigue and misery. I have literally broken more bones in the pursuit of this goal than I have run actual marathons.
Perfectionism is the silent killer of progress. It isn’t some complimentary flaw to boast about at job interviews; it is debilitating and keeps us trapped in an endless cycle of overthinking, self-doubt, and inaction.
The real catch? Perfectionist tendancies also have NO CORRELATION with performance. All that stress for no reward.
But the good news? Some of the most influential researchers in the field of self- improvement (and Perfection specialists) have some tips to break free, and we have used them to create a 5 star guide to beat perfectionism.
FIVE START SYSTEM TO OVERCOME PERFECTIONISM
1. Excellence - not perfection
Adam Alter argues that the pursuit of excellence leads to growth, while the chase for perfection often holds us back.
Psychologists have found that perfectionism can be paralyzing—it creates unrealistic standards that are nearly impossible to reach. Excellence, on the other hand, fuels both performance and well-being. You can be excellent without being perfect, but perfection demands flawlessness, making it an exhausting and often self-defeating goal.
In one study, researchers found that perfectionists actually performed worse on creative tasks than those who simply aimed for excellence. Why? Because perfectionism stifles action, while excellence encourages progress. If perfection keeps you stuck, shifting your focus to excellence might be the unlock you need.
2. ‘Mistakes’ are data points that lead to success
Psychologist Thomas Curran, author of The Perfection Trap, states: “Perfectionism is not about striving for excellence, it’s about fearing failure.”
Ask yourself - when you achieve a standard that has been set do you feel happiness or relief? Curran’s studies show that insted of celebrating a win, perfectionists feel relief that it wasn’t a loss.
Don’t fear failure. Recognize that “mistakes” are actually data points that can be used to inform your growth. It’s why A/B testing exists. Any missed target is useful information, not a reflection of your worth.
3. Satisficing
Perfectionists often fall into the trap of maximizing—analyzing every option to find the best possible choice. But this endless pursuit of perfection can lead to decision paralysis, stress, and regret.
Instead, try satisficing. Coined by psychologist Herbert Simon, satisficing is the strategy of choosing an option that is good enough rather than perfect. Research by Barry Schwartz shows that satisficers tend to be happier and more content with their choices because they don’t waste time second-guessing.
By adopting a satisficing mindset for everyday decisions—like picking a meal or choosing a workout—you can free up mental energy, reduce anxiety, and move forward with confidence. Save perfectionism for life’s biggest decisions—if at all.
4. Celebrate Progress not Perfection
Perfectionists often delay projects endlessly, waiting for the perfect moment, perfect conditions, or perfect execution. But progress beats perfection every time. Instead of fixating on flawless results, focus on putting in the repetitions.
James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, emphasizes that mastery comes from consistency, not perfection: “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” The key is to show up and do the work—however imperfectly—again and again.
5. Don’t break the Chain
Comedy legend Jerry Seinfeld used a simple but powerful technique to stay consistent: a wall calendar where he marked an "X" for every day he wrote new material. His only goal? Don’t break the chain. This strategy works because it shifts the focus from needing each session to be brilliant to simply making sure the work gets done.
Try it yourself: Set a realistic goal, whether it’s writing for 10 minutes, making one sales call, or sketching a rough idea. Track your progress visibly, and commit to not breaking the chain. Over time, the small, consistent efforts compound—and before you know it, you’ve made significant progress without the weight of perfection slowing you down.
Perfectionism isn’t a virtue—it’s a barrier. Take action, embrace imperfection, and watch your success unfold.