An Alternative to Perfectionism

People will often proudly claim to be a perfectionist. But here’s the truth: in most circumstances, perfectionism isn’t a positive.

Perfectionists are often slow learners. They never want to make mistakes. They are risk averse and hesitate to experiment because there is a strong chance of failure. It is rare to do anything well first time round and nigh on impossible to do it perfectly.

Perfectionists hate to look bad and as a result often miss out on learning opportunities, as well as amazing experiences - not to mention the fun of ‘looking stupid’. Don’t forget, some of our fondest memories and biggest laughs come from when all doesn’t go to plan!

When I talk to a self-professed perfectionist about the potential pitfalls of perfectionism, their story often changes to “no, no, no I am not like that.”

I offer, as an alternative, the concept of “diligenism”.

A New Take on Perfectionism

There is a difference between diligence and perfectionism. Diligence means that a person will do whatever is in their power to get good at something and keep at it until they get good at it.

Perfectionists play it safe and only take on projects that they are confident they will be good at and succeed. This is a disaster for growth and one of the base causes of a closed mindset.

Perfectionists often don’t realise the effect that their perfectionism is having on them because if they don't get things right very quickly, they get very discouraged. Often, they give up altogether and retreat to familiar ground.

Diligenists don’t give up. They focus on the process and strive for ‘better’, knowing that knocks will come their way but that failure will help them learn. They seek uncomfortable situations because of the education and growth such situations can offer.

Diligenists focus on mastering the little things and build a solid foundation for success.

Diligenists work hard and take risks, and by doing so rise closer to actual perfection than their perfectionist colleagues ever will.

Perfectionism in Sport – Does it Exist?

I’ll take this further: in my view, perfectionism is a false concept. It doesn’t exist in the way people think it does. We can perfect certain things and create perfect machines, but even perfect machines are surpassed by ‘more perfect’ machines.

We can master skills and have perfect performances, but as with machines these too will be improved upon and surpassed.

The key to succeeding is diligence. A will and drive to keep improving will lead to some perfect performances, at least in the moment.

The Myth of Perfectionism

What we have to understand is that perfectionism is a myth.

Chasing perfectionism is like chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Far better to chase improvement - knowing that improvement is never-ending - and to enjoy the few times we transcend into perfect, or close to perfect.

The pressure of always trying to present as someone in perfect control and perfect at their job is exhausting and fruitless, as is pretending to have cracked the code to leading a perfect life and achieving perfect results.

Diligenists know this. They know that if you keep working at something it is impossible not to get better at it, so keep going until you master that skill.

Don't seek perfection, employ diligence.

This is a far more productive mindset.