Business Today – August 25, 2019

If you genuinely want to be a

high achiever, you’re bound to

do some things imperfectly.

Here are some ideas of how to

let go of your penchant

for perfectionism.

By Rebecca Knight

Illustration by Ajay Thakuri

ERFECTIONISM is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it can motivate

you to perform at a high level and deliver top-quality work. On the other

hand, it can cause you unnecessary anxiety and slow you down. How can

you harness the positives of your perfectionism while mitigating the nega-

tives? What measures or practices can you use to keep your perfectionism

in check? Should you enlist the help of others?

What the Experts Say

“A lot of perfectionistic tendencies are rooted in fear and insecurity,” says

Matt Plummer, Founder of Zarvana, an online coaching service that helps

workers become more productive. “Many perfectionists worry that if they

let go of their [meticulousness and conscientiousness], it will hurt their

performance and standing.” And so they cling to their perfectionism

even when it’s counterproductive. If this describes you, take heart. Rein-

ing in your perfectionistic propensities is not as hard as it sounds. “It’s

about rechannelling a strength of yours rather than aiming for a lower

HOW TO

MANAGE YOUR

PERFECTIONISM

80 IBUSINESS TODAYIAugust 25I 2019