As a high achiever, you have reached your leadership position by working hard, dedicating yourself to your craft, and setting your goals to exceed standards. In some ways, this has worked out well: You may have financial security and be viewed as a leader/expert in your company or field.
In other ways, it may not be working out so well. As an Atlanta therapist who works with CEO’s and leaders, I have seen perfectionism manifest in some of the following unhealthy ways:
- Anxiety related to meeting expectations at work and with family
- Lower resilience and higher rigidity
- High levels of self-criticism
- High levels of stress
- Burnout
If you resonate with any of the experiences listed above, then read on for some tips in creating more balance without compromising your desire for excellence.
- Identify your needs
Prioritizing time for self-reflection is necessary to help you attune to your needs.
Your needs are important. You can’t perform to your potential until they are met.
Have you felt anxious or edgy for as long as you can remember? Are you feeling connected with your loved ones?
Does it feel overwhelming to think of taking time to assess your needs?
If so, it could be helpful to contact an Atlanta therapist who works with CEO’s and leaders to help you navigate this step.
2. Identify and challenge distorted thinking patterns
Cognitive Distortions are ways of thinking that are ultimately destructive to what we want to accomplish.
For example, evaluating a project as either “perfect or failure” is all-or-nothing thinking. This type of thought risks throwing out everything that was originally helpful about the project with the parts that don’t work as well.
You can find other examples of distorted thinking patterns by doing some easy research. Identifying yours can help you discover areas that might be holding you back from the achievement you’re reaching for.
- Learn to practice self-compassion
This is a hard one. Perfectionism often shows up in self-criticism and it can seem scary or risky to change the way you think about your perceived successes and failures.
This article and infographic published by a professor and researcher at Stanford University summarizes some pretty compelling scientific findings:
Self-compassion leads to more productivity than being self-critical.
People who practice self-compassion can also experience more resilience and less stress than people who operate out of self-criticism.
As an Atlanta therapist who works with CEO’s and leaders, I have experience helping high-achievers find and work past roadblocks to success. I’d love to work with you. Schedule an appointment today!
