The word “perfectionist” is typically not viewed as an insult. We’re heavily conditioned to view it as something to admire — particularly in the workplace. Very few people stop to recognize that perfectionism can lead to mental health issues and, ironically, a dysfunctional work environment.
Yes, it’s great to strive for self-betterment, and this is not a call for anyone to settle for lackluster mediocrity. But it is a delicate balance. Plus, there are better on-the-job goals than perceived perfection and elimination of flaws. A healthy workplace makes employees feel good about themselves, create friendships, and practice self-compassion. This facilitates less burnout and mental distress.
What is Perfectionism?
Perfectionism is not officially a mental disorder, but it is closely associated with conditions like anxiety. It’s a counterproductive and self-destructive personality trait founded on unattainable goals. Perfectionism can occur at any age and typically arises due to a fear of failure and embarrassment. In order to fend off those painful outcomes, a person believes they must live mistake-free.
They set impossible standards and live by unrealistic expectations. Or they harshly criticize and blame themselves when mistakes happen. Perfectionism often leads to procrastination due to anxiety about outcomes. As you can imagine, what first makes you look like a go-getter at work can morph into unhealthy tendencies that lower productivity.
Common Signs of Perfectionism and the Mental Health Risks They Pose
Besides the impossible standards, unrealistic expectations, and procrastination mentioned above, a perfectionist may engage in thoughts and actions such as:
- Comparing yourself to others or to your past efforts
- Very critical of yourself and possibly of co-workers
- You hear constructive input as criticism and get defensive
- Black-and-white thinking, e.g., success or failure
- People pleasing
- Inability to make a decision for fear of being wrong
- Fear of rejection
- Rejecting credit or praise because you’re not happy with your effort
- Low self-esteem
Re-read that list while pondering how any of the above would impact a work situation. It can make the climate quite tense and isn’t exactly conducive to friendly banter. On top of that, it increases the risk of more than a few mental health conditions, e.g.:
- Eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder
- Insomnia and other sleep disturbances
- Anxiety disorders
- Social isolation
- Also, it has been known to exacerbate symptoms of depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Addressing Perfectionism in the Workplace (or Anywhere Else)
For starters:
- Stop viewing rumination as productive thinking. Break the cycle.
- Break tasks down into much smaller parts and focus solely on each part. Celebrate small accomplishments.
- Find joy in the completion of a project more than the perceived value of your effort. Also, find satisfaction in how your effort is useful to others.
- Actively monitor your standards and adjust them accordingly.
- Ask for help. It’ll help make you more comfortable with not having all the answers (see below for more).
No one can know everything or be good at everything. Not even close. Getting comfortable with saying “I don’t know” is a huge step toward decreasing the hold perfectionism has on you. It also opens the door for collaboration and creative sharing. This is when a workplace becomes stimulating and fun. Humans are social creatures that do extremely well in collective efforts. Ease yourself slowly into that natural mindset.
It’s Not As Easy As Flicking a Switch
The odds are your perfectionist tendencies were birthed during your childhood. This means that while they can be managed and shifted, it will require time and patience. Taking on such work with the help of a therapist is a time-proven choice. The mere act of admitting you need guidance is a sign of massive progress. With that in mind, connect with our office at Onyx and let’s find you an experienced therapist who can support you with understanding how this mindset was created and shifting into a healthier one.
Contact Onyx today!
