The desire to do everything “perfectly” is often presented as the main human virtue. It seems to us that perfectionism is the key to success, quality and recognition. However, in practice, the endless pursuit of the ideal often becomes a brake that blocks development, causes chronic stress and leads to emotional burnout.
Illusion of control and fear of error
The desire to do everything perfectly is often based not on love for quality, but on banal fear. We are afraid of being judged, criticized, or feeling incompetent. A perfectionist lives in constant tension, trying to provide for every little detail.
This creates a trap: the higher the bar, the harder it is to start. This is where it is born procrastination. The brain sabotages the task because it seems like an overwhelming block that is scary to ruin. As a result, projects are postponed, ideas are not implemented, and time is running out.
Pareto principle in action
Economic Pareto principle states that 20% of efforts produce 80% of the results, and the remaining 80% of efforts are spent only on bringing the remaining 20% to the ideal.
The race for perfection forces us to spend colossal resources on insignificant details that no one except ourselves will notice. Knowing when to stop and say “good enough” is a skill effective management own life. This frees up time and energy for other important tasks or relaxation.
Stop development
It’s a paradox, but perfectionism interferes with learning. Learning is a process of trial and error. If you stop yourself from making mistakes, you automatically stop yourself from trying new things.
People who allow themselves to be imperfect:
-
They launch projects faster and receive feedback.
-
Adapt to changes more easily.
-
Save psychological stability in crisis situations.
Lowering the bar of demands on yourself is not degradation, but taking care of your resource. Accepting the fact that the world is chaotic and imperfect removes a huge burden of responsibility. Instead of spending years polishing one “masterpiece,” it is better to create several good, working projects that will bring real benefits.
Healthy not giving a fuck allows you to enjoy the process of life, and not just the rare moments of triumph. Allowing yourself to be imperfect opens the door to true freedom and creativity.
About the Author
