Overcoming Anxiety Related to Perfectionism - Some Tips Perfectionism is a personality trait that pushes a person to give his or her best in everything he/she does. It is the desire to be perfect and become a role model for others. The greed to be accepted and succeed can turn into an obsession. While perfectionism could help a person to achieve goals, in the long-run, it might cause a lot of stress and anxiety for not matching up to the standards. Some of the traits of being a perfectionist are as below: 1. Perfectionism sets in during childhood. Perfectionists are the people who try to please others with their performance. However, it is a double-edged sword. On the one hand it encourages a person to reach for the stars, on the other hand it also instills a fear of failure. 2. Perfectionists are highly critical of others and themselves. What they can’t accept in themselves is something they reject in others. 3. Perfectionists operate by the all-or-none law. Either they are 100 percent into something or not there at all. 4. Perfectionists have a hard time opening up to others. They believe that they are strong and always in control of their emotions, which prevents them from sharing their fears, inadequacies and disappointments with even the closest of people. 5. Perfectionists are hit hard by failure. Reaching a meeting late by five minutes or missing the train are small things that cause them a lot of anxiety. By focusing so much on their fears, they experience meltdowns and temperamental issues. Tips to deal with perfectionism Perfectionists do pay a price to attain success and happiness. Ironically, in a bid to measure up to their expectations, they end up sulking more. It’s important to find the right balance. It’s possible to deal with the overwhelming sense of doing everything in a perfect manner through some simple ways listed below:
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1. Go for good enough instead – Instead of striving for perfectionism, a thought too hard and impractical to fulfil, one should strive to reach a good enough stage. It’s where a person makes peace with oneself that the job is done and it no longer requires mulling over. 2. Remember that perfectionism hurts oneself and others – It is important to remember that perfectionism induces anxiety that has a direct impact on relationships, performance, and social and professional commitments. It also affects people with whom one is working or spending time, as it leads to a false sense of controlling and micromanaging others, which might hurt them. One should have a grip on the reality and do things to an extent it doesn’t cause suffering for anyone. 3. Accept that to err is human – Perfectionists keep no room for mistakes in their lives. It is important to remember that everyone has flaws and life is about making mistakes, learning from them, improving and moving on. It is not about getting stuck and being merciless to oneself. 4. Stop comparing with others – There will always be someone ahead of another person. Therefore, it is futile to compare and feel inferior and small. If at all, the comparison should be with oneself to see how far the person has come, what obstacles lie ahead and appreciate small achievements. 5. Reshape the environment – As much as a person’s own thoughts about perfectionism do the damage, environment plays a role too. One should relook at the kind of books and magazines he/she is reading; the shows being watched or the podcasts one listens to to check if anything is setting or furthering unrealistic expectations. It’s better to be surrounded by positive thoughts and people. Live a meaningful life Life is a journey, not a destination. It is bound to be bumpy, unpredictable, frustrating, yet enjoyable. A person’s life goals shouldn’t be to please someone or be the best. The focus should be on constantly improving. However, for some people, these things are easier said than done and they can’t seem to control their anxious thoughts, driven by their need to perfect themselves. For such people, it is recommended to seek proper treatment for anxiety. The treatment could be a mix of medication and therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy. If you are looking for a trustworthy mental health treatment center, the Florida Helpline for Anxiety can help. You can call our 24/7 helpline (855) 920-9834 to get information on the best anxiety treatment centers in Florida where patients are treated in a serene environment conducive to recovery.
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