Five Reasons Why You Should Let Go of Perfectionism
For years, I believed that being a perfectionist was a good thing, until now. I thought it meant I was ambitious, hardworking, and detail-oriented. I took pride in double (and triple) checking everything, staying late to make sure every project was flawless, and holding myself to impossibly high standards.
But here’s what I didn’t realize: perfectionism isn’t pushing me forward, it often holds me back.
Instead of feeling proud of my work, I find myself being constantly anxious. Instead of celebrating wins, I pick apart the flaws. Instead of taking big opportunities, I hesitate—because what if I’m not “ready” yet?
If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Believing that if you’re not doing everything flawlessly, you’re failing. But perfectionism isn’t self-improvement, it’s self-sabotage.
Here’s how perfectionism might be holding you back at work, and what you (and I) can do to break free.
1. Perfectionism Keeps You Stuck in “Almost Ready” Mode
Have you ever held back from applying for a promotion, launching a project, or speaking up in a meeting because you felt like you weren’t quite ready?
Perfectionists tend to over-prepare, over-research, and overthink—convincing themselves that they need just a little more time before they can take the next step.
But here’s the truth: you will never feel 100% ready. Growth happens when you take action, not when you wait for perfection.
Try this instead:
Set a deadline for yourself. If you’ve been stuck in preparation mode, give yourself a firm deadline to just start.
Remember: Progress > Perfection. Instead of asking, “Is this perfect?” ask, “Is this good enough to move forward?”
Say yes before you feel ready. Most successful people take the leap before they feel fully prepared. You can always figure it out along the way.
2. It Makes You Work Harder, Not Smarter
Perfectionism often leads to overworking. You might find yourself:
Spending hours refining something that was already good enough.
Taking on more than you can handle because you don’t trust others to do it “right.”
Redoing work that didn’t need to be redone.
The result? Burnout, exhaustion, and frustration—with very little to show for it.
Try this instead:
Adopt the 80/20 rule. Focus on the 20% of tasks that bring 80% of results. Let go of the tiny details that don’t actually matter.
Delegate without micromanaging. Trust your team, and resist the urge to tweak or redo their work.
Set time limits. Instead of endlessly refining a project, give yourself a set amount of time and then move on.
3. It Steals Your Confidence
Perfectionism and self-doubt go hand in hand. When you’re always chasing an unrealistic standard, you start believing that you’re never quite good enough.
You might:
Over-apologize for minor mistakes.
Feel like an imposter, even when you’re doing great work.
Downplay your achievements instead of celebrating them.
Try this instead:
Reframe mistakes as learning opportunities. Instead of thinking, I failed, try I learned something valuable.
Practice self-compassion. Remind yourself that no one is perfect—and no one expects you to be.
Keep a “wins” list. Write down compliments, achievements, and moments when you stepped outside your comfort zone. Look at it when self-doubt creeps in.
4. It Kills Creativity and Innovation
When you’re obsessed with getting everything exactly right, you don’t leave room for experimentation, risk-taking, or creative thinking.
But the most successful people in the world? They aren’t perfectionists—they’re action-takers. They try things, fail, learn, and keep going.
Try this instead:
Allow yourself to do B+ work. Not everything needs to be an A+. Sometimes, getting it done is more important than making it perfect.
Take more risks. Give yourself permission to try new things—even if they don’t work out perfectly.
Embrace imperfection as part of the process. Some of the greatest ideas come from unexpected mistakes.
5. It Makes Work Feel Like a Constant Struggle
At its core, perfectionism is the opposite of self-love.
It tells you that you’re only worthy when you’re flawless. It convinces you that your best isn’t enough. And it keeps you stuck in a cycle of stress, overwork, and never feeling satisfied.
But here’s the truth: You are already enough. Your worth isn’t measured by how perfect your work is—it’s measured by how you show up, learn, grow, and take care of yourself along the way.
So this week, I challenge you to let go of perfect.
Take the messy action.
Speak up before you feel 100% confident.
Accept that “good enough” is often more than enough.
Because success isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being brave enough to show up, just as you are. The moment you start working with ease, trusting yourself, and giving yourself grace, everything changes.
So take the pressure off. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be you.