Progress Over Perfection: 3 Ways To Overcome Perfectionism and Thrive
Ever feel stuck thinking, "I'm only productive if I get everything done"? This all or nothing mindset, often rooted in perfectionism, can lead to overwhelm and stop you from even starting. It's a common challenge for students, young adults, and anyone trying to manage a busy life. The truth is, a flexible approach is the key to accomplishing more and reducing stress.
By letting go of rigid standards, you can cultivate a progress over perfection mindset that makes your goals feel more achievable.
Here are three strategies to help you get unstuck and build a more balanced approach to your to do list.
Redefine What "Success" Means to You
Our definition of success can be a major barrier. If you only feel successful when you've completed every single task flawlessly, you're setting an impossible standard. This black and white thinking creates a cycle of frustration and burnout.
Instead, ask yourself: How can I shift my definition of productivity to be more reasonable and compassionate?
Maybe a win for today is completing one major task and a few small ones. Perhaps success is simply making an effort on a project you've been avoiding. By redefining your terms, you create a more encouraging path forward.
Prioritize for a More Flexible Mindset
Trying to give 100% to every single item on your list is a recipe for overwhelm. A better strategy is to prioritize your tasks based on what truly matters. This is a core part of developing flexible thinking for students and young adults.
Make a Master List: Get everything out of your head and onto a single list. This clears mental clutter and helps you see everything at once.
Identify Your Top Three: Choose the two or three tasks that are the highest priority for the day. These are your nonnegotiables.
Embrace the "B+ Work": Give yourself permission to do a solid job on the rest of your to do list, even if it's not perfect. A completed task that's "good enough" is always better than a perfect task that never gets started.
This approach reduces pressure and allows you to focus your energy where it's most needed.
Build Life Skills for Lasting Success
Moving away from perfectionism is a powerful life skill that improves your overall mental health. When you can manage your expectations and prioritize effectively, you reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. These skills are a key part of what we call executive function coaching.
Learning to manage perfectionism and build healthy, flexible habits takes time and practice. If you or your young adult are struggling to find motivation and direction, you don’t have to do it alone.
Our LAUNCH Program for Young Adults is a comprehensive executive function and life skills program designed to help those who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unmotivated. Our expert coaches provide high level, individualized support to help young adults build the skills needed for a confident, independent life.
By working with a coach, your young adult can develop the resilience to move from feeling stuck to making real, sustainable progress.