Did you know that 41% of Americans make resolutions for the New Year, but only 9% think they follow through on them? This startling 91% failure rate frequently results from the way we set our objectives.
Unrealistic goal-setting is identified in numerous research as a primary contributor to failure. But this, in my opinion, points to a more serious problem—the inability to adequately relate to or align ourselves with our objectives. This is when procrastination and perfectionism come into play.
In essence, perfectionism is fear manifested as a mental wall. It’s more of a fear of change than it is of failure or social rejection. Because it understands that your survival is a result of the decisions you have made in the past, our subconscious tends to support the status quo. It views change as simply upsetting the boat and running the danger of an unknowable consequence.
Are Perfectionism and Procrastination Hindering Your Goal Achievement?
Admitting to being a perfectionist forces one to consider what it actually entails. Is it a dedication to honing something till it satisfies your ideal? Or is there a hesitancy to start a project until you can ensure a perfect result?
It’s important to understand that if you tend toward the latter, this perfectionism-procrastination cycle could be an excuse—a symptom of a deep-rooted subconscious fear of change.
Consider this perspective:
Using the word “vague” instead of “unrealistic” could give a more accurate picture of the problem. People frequently state that they would like to increase their income, reduce their body weight, or change their eating habits, but they rarely specify exactly what those goals are. Pursuing such vague objectives leaves people adrift because it is difficult to determine a precise path toward them.
Think of routine chores that appear normal but have a purpose, such as laundry or grocery shopping. These deliberate and frequent acts have a well-defined goal. Going to the grocery store, for example, guarantees that you have food, and having food allows you to eat, which guarantees your survival. There is no doubt about the goal.
The terrible repercussions of failing to do the assignment are not on your thoughts as you make your way to the grocery store. All you have to do is cross things off your shopping list. Even if it’s just subconsciously, you already have a mental and physical link to the result—bringing home the required materials.
Achieving the objective in your mind comes before carrying it out physically, and as you move around the store, you need little conscious thought.
Breaking the Procrastination-Perfectionism Loop in 3 steps
1. Identify the Loop
The first step in breaking the perfectionism-procrastination cycle is acknowledging it. Examine the fundamental causes of your perfectionist tendencies and draw attention to the recurring pattern. Avoid passing harsh judgment and approach this self-reflection with tenderness and honesty.
Avoid passing judgment and evaluating oneself too harshly, as these can be just as harmful as the irrational dread of change. Make an effort to take on the role of an unbiased observer, simply observing the dynamics at work without passing judgment right away.
2. Establish Clear Intentions
Equipped with this fresh insight, you’ll observe an organic change in how you approach objectives. But it’s important to understand how to correctly set intentions. Think about reevaluating your goal-setting strategy if you are one of those people who make resolutions for the new year yet suffer from inaction and perfectionism:
“Why, as a self-proclaimed perfectionist, am I consistently setting vague goals?”
Without going into greater detail, would a true perfectionist want to make “more money” this year? Would someone who is fervently dedicated to achieving optimal health and fitness have “losing more weight” as their goal?
You may honestly think that you should not begin because you are afraid of not reaching the objective exactly. However, what precisely are you initially trying to achieve?
Now let’s look at procrastination from a distance. Procrastination, according to academics, is a type of self-regulation failure that is typified by the unreasonable postponement of duties in spite of possible drawbacks.
Procrastination is really the unjustified delaying of a task, even though we have talked about it as a type of inaction over time. When it comes to reaching objectives, persistent delays brought on by illogical or subconscious ideas are more detrimental than procrastinating per se. It’s known as “mañana” thinking in Spanish.
Procrastination may still occur if you put off doing a chore until tomorrow because you truly don’t want to do it today. But what’s wrong if you finish the assignment tomorrow? The true problem emerges when you consistently put things off, which keeps you from achieving your objectives over time. It may seem apparent, but before making any modifications, it is important to make sure that the idea is clear.
i hope that by now, you have a better understanding of procrastination and can determine if it is preventing you from moving forward. You should also be able to avoid criticizing your procrastinating habit with this awareness.
3. Seek Support and Mentorship
Individual development is not possible without the assistance and kind criticism of others. In what other way can you impartially assess whether your result is flawless? Make connections with people who have been through similar experiences as you and ask for advice. Investigate any interviews or publicly accessible guidance they may have provided, even if getting in touch with them personally seems difficult.
One difficulty you’ve encountered is seeing the ideal result only from your point of view. A more lucid and achievable objective will result from comprehending the opinions of the market and the larger society on the ideal result. With this knowledge, you can recognize your weaknesses and the areas that need work.
Improve your communication and language skills. Think about the language you use in your internal and exterior communication. What narrative are you reinforcing within yourself?
Is Your Self-Talk Based on Reality?
Anything less than perfection is intrinsically viewed as unacceptable by perfectionism. [3] What does this have to do with putting off duties in spite of possible drawbacks? Literally speaking, perfectionism should motivate one to keep going until a satisfactory result is obtained rather than unreasonable inaction!
Final Thoughts
The next time you blame procrastination and perfectionism—for yourself or others—for not acting, set a challenge for yourself. Without condemning yourself, acknowledge the underlying fear of change. Acknowledge it for what it is and start changing the thought patterns that underlie these actions.