9 Ways Perfectionism May Be Holding You Back in Life

Perfectionism is something I’ve struggled with for years. Although it brings many benefits, a perfectionist mindset can stop us trying new things and celebrating our successes. If you find yourself continually striving to achieve 100%, here are 9 ways perfectionism may be holding you back in life.

PERFECTIONISM – BEST FRIEND OR WORST ENEMY?

How you think determines how you feel. This is a motto I’ve repeated to my kids since they were little as our thoughts are so important. They shape our choices, decisions and actions.

One of the mindsets that I find most interesting in my own life is the mindset of perfectionism. On the one hand it’s helped me do and achieve some really great things from completing a degree, to running our family business to connecting with you through my blog. It drives me full of ambition, motivation and enthusiasm.

But, on the other hand, it’s held me back in so many ways. Overthinking, paralysis by analysis and a tendency towards all-or-nothing.

If you also share my perfectionist tendencies, I’m so glad you’re reading this! In this article I’m exploring how you can turn your perfectionism into a powerful tool to help you live with enjoyment and intention.

THE PROS AND CONS OF PERFECTIONISM

Perfectionism often masquerades as a good thing. It makes us believe that if we just try harder, work longer, or get everything just right, we’ll finally feel satisfied. But in reality, perfectionism can be exhausting, stressful, and paralysing. It keeps us stuck, afraid to make mistakes, and constantly feeling like we’re not quite good enough.

Letting go of perfectionism doesn’t mean lowering your standards. It means freeing yourself from unrealistic expectations so you can enjoy life more fully, embrace imperfection, and focus on what really matters.

9 WAYS PERFECTIONISM MAY BE HOLDING YOU BACK IN LIFE

Here are nine ways perfectionism may be holding you back—and what you can do about it.

1. You Procrastinate Instead of Taking Action

Perfectionists often delay starting something because they’re afraid it won’t turn out perfectly. Whether it’s a work project, a creative pursuit, or even something as simple as finding the motivation to declutter your home, the fear of getting it ‘wrong’ can stop you from even beginning.

How to Overcome It: Shift your focus from perfection to progress. Give yourself permission to do things imperfectly. Set a timer for 10 or 20 minutes and just start. Taking action is far more powerful than endlessly planning or waiting for the ‘perfect’ moment.

2. You Struggle with Decision-Making

If you’re always worried about making the best choice, you might spend hours researching, weighing up every possible option, or seeking reassurance from others. This can be overwhelming and leave you feeling stuck.

How to Overcome It: Accept that there is no single perfect decision. Instead, ask yourself, Will this choice move me forward? Make a decision based on the best information you have right now and trust yourself to adjust later if needed.

3. You Feel Constantly Overwhelmed

Perfectionists often set impossibly high standards for themselves, trying to do everything to an unrealistic level. This can lead to burnout, exhaustion, and feeling like there’s never enough time. This is something I’m prone to, so I know to pace myself, particularly when I feel I have too many ideas and plans squished into my brain!

How to Overcome It: Prioritise. Ask yourself, What actually matters? Learn to let go of tasks that don’t truly align with your goals or values. Done is better than perfect.

4. You’re Hard on Yourself When Things Go Wrong

Mistakes happen—it’s part of life. But if you’re a perfectionist, even small errors can feel like failures, leading to self-criticism and discouragement. And, why is it that we’re so much harder on ourselves than we ever would be to our loved ones?

How to Overcome It: Change the way you talk to yourself. Instead of saying, I failed, try saying, I’m learning. Remind yourself that mistakes are stepping stones to growth and improvement.

5. You Avoid Trying New Things

Perfectionism often stops us from stepping out of our comfort zones. The fear of looking inexperienced or not being ‘good enough’ at something new can prevent us from pursuing exciting opportunities.

How to Overcome It: Shift your mindset to one of curiosity rather than perfection. Ask yourself, What’s the worst that could happen? and What might I gain from this experience? Remember, every expert was once a beginner.

6. You Have a Hard Time Delegating

If you feel like you have to do everything yourself because no one else will do it as well as you, perfectionism is likely at play. This can lead to exhaustion and resentment.

How to Overcome It: Practice letting go of control. Accept that things don’t have to be done exactly your way to be good enough. Allow others to help, and recognise that delegation is a strength, not a weakness.

I had this problem with delegating housework. I don’t love chores but I love a decluttered and clean home and I felt that my cleaning was “better” than their version of decluttering and cleaning. So I took it upon myself to probably do more around the home than I needed. Until I learned that it doesn’t really matter if the cleaning is perfect, the most important thing is that it gets done – and now it does, by all of us!

7. You Struggle to Enjoy the Present Moment

Perfectionists are often so focused on what needs improving that they rarely pause to appreciate what’s already good in their lives. This can lead to chronic dissatisfaction and a sense of always chasing ‘the next thing.’

How to Overcome It: Cultivate gratitude and mindfulness. Take time each day to reflect on what’s going well. Focus on progress, not perfection, and learn to appreciate the now rather than constantly looking ahead.

I used to kind of force myself to take a few minutes each day and be grateful for the good and all that I’ve achieved, instead of racing onto the next thing. Nowadays I don’t have to force myself but actively enjoy giving myself a little internal cheer and praise!

8. You Tie Your Self-Worth to Achievements

If you feel like your value as a person depends on how much you achieve or how perfect things look from the outside, perfectionism is in control. This mindset can leave you feeling like you’re never ‘enough.’

How to Overcome It: Remind yourself that your worth is not based on your achievements. You are valuable simply because you are. Spend time on activities that bring you joy and fulfilment, not just productivity.

9. You Fear Failure More Than You Desire Success

Perfectionists often focus more on avoiding failure than on striving for success. This fear and self-doubt can hold you back from pursuing your dreams, making bold moves, or taking risks that could lead to great things.

How to Overcome It: Redefine failure. Instead of seeing it as something to fear, view it as part of the journey. Every failure teaches you something and brings you one step closer to success.

I also like to reframe failure as this from Clement Stone …

“Aim for the moon. If you miss, you may hit a star.”

CONCLUSION

Letting go of perfectionism isn’t about lowering your standards—it’s about setting realistic ones. When you stop expecting perfection from yourself and start embracing progress, life becomes easier, more fulfilling, and far less stressful.

Overcoming perfectionism allows you to live with more freedom, creativity, and joy. It’s a huge step towards a simpler, more intentional life—one where you focus on what truly matters, rather than chasing an impossible ideal.

So take a deep breath, remind yourself that you are enough just as you are, and start moving forward—one imperfect, beautiful step at a time.

And now your turn… Are you a perfectionist? Have you learned to make the most of this mindset or does it still trip you up? Do you have any thoughts to add that would help others? I’d love to hear from you so please leave a comment at the end of the article.

HELPFUL RESOURCES ON MINDSET

• What Is Intentional Living? A Beginner’s Guide to a Meaningful Life
• 10 Mindful Habits to Reduce Daily Stress
• Minimalism and Mindfulness: 4 Ways They Connect for a Simpler Life
• 10 Things to Declutter That Aren’t Things – Decluttering is so much more than getting rid of our physical stuff
• Essential Mindsets to Help You Get More Out of Life – How you think determines you feel (and the actions and decisions that follow)
• Why Kind Words Matter – the story we tell ourselves
• 30 Journal Prompts for Self-Discovery

GET YOUR FREE PRINTABLE

Let’s declutter your mind so you can think clearly. Thinking clearly without the distraction of all those thoughts about “should do this”, “regret I didn’t do that”, “why didn’t I try this”. They aren’t always helpful.

If your mind is feeling overloaded and foggy, try my free Mental Declutter Checklist. Pop your details in the box below to get your copy today!