Is perfectionism blocking the career change you really need? How to tame the search for ‘perfect’ and create a work life that sets you free
Perfectionism is a personality characteristic that has a direct impact on the actions we take. While aiming for the best is a useful approach in life generally, it can also be harmful if taken to extremes.
In practice, perfectionism can leave us striving for the unattainable and judging ourselves too harshly. Sometimes, ‘good enough’ really is much more than good enough!
In terms of choosing a career that is more likely to bring you fulfilment, I believe that moving in the right direction is more important than achieving an unattainable ideal. Yes, we need to know what we need for a happy life and fulfilling work, but we also need to believe that they are achievable.
How perfectionism can hold us back from a better career
There are many ways that perfectionism makes its presence felt in our lives. Knowing what these might look like is the first step to recognising what is happening and taking back some power over our career happiness.
1. Procrastination
Perfectionism is an absolute and as such is a huge goal to aim for. The perceived distance from where we are can leave us immobile, unable to take the first step towards our goal of a more fulfilling career.
2. Afraid of failing
Because failure to achieve perfection is so likely (and begs the question ‘is perfection ever achievable?’) it looms large. That fear of failure is tangible and like another weight holding us down, labouring under the mistaken belief that it is safer to stay put than risk failure.
3. Underestimating your strengths and achievements
It’s all too easy to disregard previous successes, to forget particular talents and achievements in this desire for the ideal role. They become invisible rather than the confidence boosters they can be when given serious attention.
4. Perfectionism makes you feel inadequate
Perfection is huge, we are a tiny dot, so inevitably we doubt our ability to achieve this new career path. Rather than motivating us to start creating a strategy to make the change we’re seeking, perfectionism has a habit of ignoring or down-playing the skills, knowledge, experience and energy we already have.
5. Failure to apply because you don’t meet all requirements
When we see a list of what is required, there is a tendency to rule ourselves out before we even consider the possibility seriously. Research tells us women are far more likely to do this, swayed by unhelpful thoughts like these:
‘They’d never choose someone like me, without directly relevant experience and no skills in two of the areas they’re looking for’.
In actual fact there’s unlikely to be any candidate that 100% match the brief, so give yourself a chance to show why you’re a great fit.
6. The new option has to be perfect
Changing your job, whether for a new role, a different profession or a fresh organisation - any of these take a lot of effort. It’s far easier to sit tight, giving ourselves the excuse that the role doesn’t have every single thing we’re looking for. This is a cop out that sentences us to unfulfilling work. Ask whether the role is taking you in a better direction, uses more of the skills you actually want to use, excites you, aligns with your highest values - if yes, then it’s worth a serious attempt.
7. Emotions like shame or guilt create blocks
When considering a different job, it’s easy to be swayed by feelings of shame or guilt. Shame at (potentially) not being good enough (also probably false by the way), and guilt at giving up on our current career - after all, haven’t we been taught to hang in there whatever happens? Emotions are just passing feelings, however strong they may seem. Instead of allowing them to paralyse you, try noticing the emotion, naming it, understanding why it’s come up now, and accepting that it will pass. Then take the first step.
How you can tame perfectionism
If one of the manifestations of perfectionism I mentioned above sound familiar, there are ways you can create a new perspective and free yourself to take positive action:
Recognize that ‘perfect’ in most cases doesn’t actually exist
Recognise and value your personal and professional qualities and achievements as these provide the evidence that you are good enough to change direction if you want to
Nourish your self esteem by noticing, accepting and honouring your strengths and your right to seek fulfilment
Internal acceptance - do the work to truly believe you are worthy of work that fits you better
Welcome prototyping as a tactic - adopt a design-thinker’s mindset and test out potential ideas on paper and by talking to people working in that role already. Allow yourself to dream and explore, to discover and evaluate
Direction is more important than a ‘perfect’ role - heading in the right direction is your true guide. Your values and purpose help you find this, along with a sense of which of your strengths you really want to use
‘Right direction’ is your touchstone - and that doesn’t mean settling for a rubbish job that drives you crazy. If your work aligns with your values and is meaningful to you, if you can use some of the strengths you love and it delivers most of the life you want, then you’re on the right track - and if not, it’s totally possible to create a compass to show you the way
How you can take action
Knowing which direction is right for you is empowering and freeing. There are several important components that make action possible:
Find your ‘right direction’ - this comprises alignment with your values and purpose, and being able to use your strengths. Together, the direction they point towards is your WHY
Move towards it - by taking small steps and making course corrections along the way, you will make progress that feels right for you
Because any change seeds uncertainty, focus on your achievements and strengths to boost your self-belief and confidence that you can indeed achieve a new, more fulfilling career
Don’t go it alone - create a support network who really back you, who won’t impose their expectations of what success looks like over your vision for a happy and fulfilled life
And if you’d like someone to hold you accountable on the journey, who will cheer you on and help you reveal your very own compass, just get in touch using the button below.
I’ve helped many professionals like you move into work that expresses who they really are. You can do it too!
Career Change Programme - here’s how you can reveal your new direction