Perfectionism is that tricky, sneaky part of you that can fiercely shove it's way into your business-doings; in fact, it's its favorite place to be. Letting it run amok can really take away your power in decision-making, taking risks, your enjoyment in working, and overall business outcomes, so being able to identify it is the first step to approaching your work more courageously.
We all go into a new business or business endeavors with some self-doubt and skepticism, though perfectionism takes it to an elevated level that can put up a lot of self-propelled barriers along the way. Below are some of the most common ways it'll creep into your business-ing.
#1 - You procrastinate on tasks
You avoid doing the big things or the scary things (or even little things) because you just don't have the energy or emotional output. Maybe you wait until the last minute and then pump out your best work possible.
But as time goes on, your anxiety about procrastinating grows. Sometimes this creates movement, but sometimes you feel paralyzed in the idle stage.
#2 - Failure/mistakes are your biggest fear
Failure doesn't feel like an option and mistakes often feel like failure. So in turn, you avoid doing things that don't guarantee your success OR you work so hard to perfect your product, website, etc. so there's no space for your inner critic to judge.
Because failure is such a relative term, this can really become invasive. Failure in general may mean losing your business altogether, of course. But failure to you may be something as minor as not selling more of a product or misspelling a word on a brochure.
#3 - You deal with imposter syndrome
You feel like a fraud in your field despite many years of practice, training, and effort to progress. You may even know logically that you have all the working parts to do your job well but still feel like you are just winging it.
Your fear here is that a mistake, misstep, or even an astute customer/client will "blow your cover" and you'll be seen for what you really are.
#4 - Feeling "not good enough" is with you often
There's just something about your work (or even yourself) that doesn't feel like it makes the cut despite how much effort you put in. You try so hard to perfect things and be perceived as a worthy businessowner but you can't help but feel you're falling short every time.
Even the little (or big) wins you have aren't enough to convince you that you're actually "good enough".
#5 - You keep cycling back into burnout
The hard work you do trying to seek out and maintain perfection is more than costly to your energy supply--it seems to deplete you fully. On top of that, it feels unproductive (or causes you guilt) to rest so slowing down rarely happens until your body forces you to stop.
Knowing that you are tired doesn't make much of a dent in changing this pattern, however. Your drive to be impeccable wins over and over. It's an never-ending, exhausting cycle.
#6 - "Safe" risk-taking is your go-to
Perhaps it isn't that you don't take any risks at all, but that you overprepare and choose the risks that hold the least likelihood for failure or repercussions. That thing or those things you really want to do? You'd like to have the courage to try them out but they just seem way too daring and uncertain.
What will it be like? How will others view this? Will this be the thing that finally confirms your feelings of inadequacy? If it flops, how will you handle that? The fears just seem ever-present.
#7 - Asking for help/delegating is especially hard
You believe that the only way to get things done right is to do them yourself, right? Or maybe you believe that asking for help implies that you really aren't good enough if you can't do it all, alone.
At times, it's true that people sometimes aren't qualified or capable of getting the tasks done that need to be done for your business. The issue that arises here is that the messiness of teaching others or being out of control of other's behaviors can heighten the perception of risk of failure, mistakes, or unworkable problems.
Instead trusting yourself to problem-solve and tolerate the anxiety that comes with the unknown and uncontrollable, you (understandably) choose to do it all yourself. And that's draining!
#8 - You avoid/are reactive to criticism & feedback
Feedback leaves the door open for activating the shameful beliefs you have about yourself (e.g., I'm not good enough) so you eliminate or evade situations where your work could be judged.
When it's inevitable or you are exposed to criticism unexpectedly, you are immediately defensive and/or stuck in a shame loop about the information you received. It feels heavy, urgent, and maybe even like a catastrophe.
#9 - You sacrifice social/home life for work
Because you're hyper-focused on controlling outcomes in your business and likely base at least some of your identity on your level of success in your career, you overemphasize the amount of time you need to spend working and perfecting your trade.
This piece isn't about the investment stage of a project or just working hard to get ahead. It's a direct reflection of the fear you have of failure or loss of control, leading to overcompensation in business building. Other things are still important to you, of course, but don't feel as immediately pressing to you as working does.
#10 - You compare your business/work to others
It seems like all other entrepreneurs know what they're doing and have worthy accomplishments, while you feel like yours are not up to snuff. You may even have (external) markers of success, only to shoot them down when you see others as further along.
Naturally, the constant comparison is discouraging and leads you to feelings of defeat rather than empowerment.
Bottom line...
Perfectionism brings barriers to business ownership that can hold you back from moving forward and truly enjoying your career. If you find yourself relating to most of these signs, hope is not lost! Challenging the perfectionist mindset and taking risks can be done. To learn more about risk-taking, check out my article 7 Ways to Practice Risk-Taking in Business.
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