20 ways your Perfectionism is holding you back and How to overcome them

I have experienced every single one of them — There is a path forward

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Perfectionism has always been a big part of who I am — it drives me to set high standards, deliver top-quality work and continuously strive to learn and better myself.

Recently, I’ve become more self-aware of how my perfectionism has limited me. I’ve fallen into these patterns time and again, thinking my perfectionism is pushing me to excel, only to realize it’s often holding me back instead.

Here are 20 ways my perfectionism has gotten in the way in the past:

1. You think you’re not prepared enough, but really, you’re just procrastinating
2. You feel an intense impostor syndrome
3. You fear failure or criticism
4. You obsess over insignificant details
5. You’re always trying to “get it right”
6. You crave external validation
7. You’re fixated on the destination, not the journey
8. You compare yourself constantly to others
9. You think there’s always something missing
10. You focus more on your weaknesses than your strengths
11. You don’t celebrate small wins
12. You think every failure is final
13. You set unrealistic standards
14. You’re afraid of being vulnerable
15. You overplan rather than act
16. You wait for inspiration instead of working consistently
17. You find it hard to forgive yourself for past mistakes
18. You ignore positive feedback
19. You feel guilty when relaxing
20. You dread unexpected changes

But good news… There is a path forward

If these obstacles resonate with you, know that there is hope.

One technique I use is the “regret minimization” approach. It has helped me get my perfectionism in check.

Imagine you’re 80 years old, looking back on your life. What are the things you would regret not having done?

Ask yourself:

1. What’s the one thing I would regret not trying the most?
2. What’s one small step I can take toward that goal today?

Take that step. It may feel small, but it’s movement in the right direction.

When it’s all said and done, none of these perfectionist fears or doubts will matter. We tend to think we’re more important than we really are, and that’s freeing.

Prioritize your regrets — What’s the one thing you would regret not having tried the most?

So go for it. We only get one life.

In what other ways is your perfectionism getting in the way? Drop them in the comments!

Thanks for reading and remember: Just Do It!