Do you always set high expectations for yourself? Do you aim for perfectionism? The problem with perfectionism is that you could be saying ‘you are never enough’ or end up beating yourself up if you don’t meet your own high expectations.
It is always important to strive to do your best and encourage yourself to do new things. However, if you are one of those perfectionists who give themselves a hard time for not being ‘ perfect enough’ then you are setting yourself up for even more stress and anxiety.
The Problem with Perfectionism
If you have a problem with perfectionism, you may find yourself displaying the following behaviours:
- Setting yourself high expectations to meet and beating yourself up when you believe you have not met these expectations
- Dedicating a large amount of time and effort to make sure things are ‘ just right’.
- Consistently pushing yourself upstream to always do better or achieve more
- Worrying about your shortcomings, believing you are not good enough
- When you don’t receive the ideal state of perfectionism, experiencing negative emotions such as guilt, frustration, sadness or disappointment.
Perfectionism can rob you of Joy!
Perfectionism can literally stop you from enjoying simply achievements and prevent you from gracefully stepping into greatness.
Perfectionists take minor mistakes and make them into personal failures. They take to heart any sort of perceived shortcomings in their life and may be never satisfied that they have done their best.
In order for a perfectionist to feel successful, they often need to at least meet or exceed their own high expectations.
However, in reality, we are human beings and we will all make mistakes, it is all part of life unfolding. Therefore, it is often ridiculous to expect yourself to get things right first time.
Tips for reducing perfectionism.
- After doing anything new, praise yourself for giving it a try and focus on what you did well, rather than the things you believe you did wrong
- Ask yourself – do you expect everyone else to always get it right first time or be perfect or is it just yourself?
- Laugh at the high expectations you set yourself
- Give yourself a break!
On a final note, it really doesn’t matter what happens in your life, it is really about how you treat yourself. Real self love is accepting and caring for yourself, whether you meet yours ( or anyone else’s!) expectations. Learn to be your own best friend by accepting that you always do your best, regardless of the outcome.
Award Winning Midlands Life Coach
Previously based in Sydney, Australia, Lisa Phillips has over 22 years experience as an international Life Coach, Confidence Coach and Personal Coach. Lisa is also a trained Counsellor. Now based in Northamptonshire, Lisa offers leading edge Life Coaching sessions via face to face, online Life Coaching or Group Life Coaching courses. She is also the author of The Confidence Coach ( Exile 2015)
Lisa also has a passion for public speaking and she is regularly engaged by several international cruise lines to run enrichment seminars on-board. She is also trained TV Presenter. Why not check out her TV Presenter Show Reel?
Please contact Amazing Coaching for a no obligation chat about how she can assist you or to book her to speak at your event.
