Perfectionism

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Perfectionism is a personality trait or mindset where individuals set unrealistically high standards for themselves, accompanied by an intense fear of failure and self-criticism when those standards aren't met. While striving for excellence can be motivating, perfectionism becomes problematic when it leads to paralysis, procrastination, or burnout.

Examples in growth professionals

• A marketing manager obsessively refining a campaign's design, delaying its launch to the point where the competition seizes market share.
• A business owner reworking a pitch deck for weeks, unable to accept it as “good enough” and missing opportunities to present to investors.
• A growth hacker avoiding publishing a tool review because they fear it isn’t comprehensive enough, losing out on traffic and engagement.

Perfectionism often stems from a combination of personal traits and external pressures, such as societal expectations, workplace demands, or an internalised fear of judgment.

The impact of perfectionism

Research on perfectionism highlights its growing prevalence, particularly in high-pressure environments. Studies suggest that perfectionism correlates with increased levels of anxiety, depression, and burnout. Notably, psychologist Thomas Curran argues that our culture’s emphasis on productivity and constant improvement exacerbates this trait, creating a cycle of dissatisfaction and self-criticism.

Shift your mindset

1. Focus on progress, not perfection: Break tasks into smaller, manageable goals. Celebrate milestones instead of fixating on the end result.
2. Redefine success: Move away from binary thinking ("success or failure") and embrace the idea that learning and iteration are valuable outcomes.

Prioritise and delegate

1. Apply the 80/20 Principle: Identify the 20% of efforts that will produce 80% of results and focus there. Perfecting minor details often yields diminishing returns.
2. Embrace delegation: Accept that others may not do things exactly as you would but can still achieve effective results.

Build self-compassion

1. Talk to yourself as you would a friend: Challenge your inner critic with kindness and perspective.
2. Separate self-worth from achievements: Recognise your value beyond what you produce or accomplish.

Practical tools and habits

• Time-boxing: Allocate a set amount of time for each task and stick to it. Once the time is up, move on, even if the work isn’t “perfect.”
• Post-mortems for learning: Instead of criticising what went wrong, assess what can be improved for next time.
• Feedback loops: Share drafts or concepts early to get constructive input, reducing the pressure to deliver a polished final product immediately.