10 Signs You're Procrastinating Under the Guise of Perfectionism

Welcome, fellow growth-oriented professionals, to a discussion that may challenge the very label you've long embraced: perfectionism. As an experienced career coach, I've traversed the terrain of personal growth, only to realize that what often masquerades as perfectionism is, in fact, a clever disguise for procrastination. Join me as we unravel this misconception and uncover ten telltale signs that you might be procrastinating under the guise of perfectionism.

Understanding Procrastination vs. Perfectionism

At first glance, procrastination and perfectionism may seem like distant cousins, but in reality, they can intertwine in deceptive ways. Procrastination, simply put, is delaying accomplishment for reasons that aren't necessary or deemed of lower value than the accomplishment itself. On the other hand, perfectionism involves putting all efforts into accomplishing something until it is flawless. Ironically they are mutually exclusive at a fundamental level, but we like to play mental gymnastics in order to intertwine them.

Can perfectionism cause procrastination?

Yes, it absolutely can, when the human mind is introduced into the equation but not if you are truly a perfectionist. The claim of perfectionism, when taken to an extreme, for someone who is not actually a perfectionist can create an insurmountable barrier to action. The fear of failure or imperfection becomes so overwhelming that it paralyzes progress, leading to procrastination. However, a true perfectionist will embrace the “insurmountable” barrier and work tirelessly to overcome it and produce the best outcome in the end.

What is the root cause of perfectionism?

Perfectionism often stems from a variety of sources, including societal pressures, childhood experiences, or personal standards. Trauma or past experiences of failure can exacerbate perfectionist tendencies, leading individuals to strive for unattainable ideals. Remember though, perfectionism isn’t necessarily something to be solved. Whether you “fix” perfectionism or embrace it, is an introspective decision that only you can make for yourself, when analyzing what the best path forward for your personal success is.

What is the root of procrastination?

The root of procrastination often lies in deeper emotional issues such as fear of failure, fear of success, or low self-esteem. It can also be a result of poor time management skills or a lack of clear goals.

When does perfectionism become toxic?

Perfectionism becomes toxic when it impedes progress, causes excessive stress or anxiety, and leads to a cycle of procrastination. It can hinder personal and professional growth, as the pursuit of perfection becomes an unattainable goal.

Perfectionism becomes toxic when you are lying about being one. It is rarely toxic to accurately identify yourself for who you are and embrace it for the success of your forward journey regardless of the title you are putting upon yourself. This is the key to deciding if perfectionism is toxic for you, it’s a simple question with a journey to find the real answer “Are you truly a perfectionist?”.

Sign 1: Endless Planning, Minimal Execution

Do you find yourself endlessly planning projects or tasks but struggling to take action? This could be a sign that you're falling into the trap of procrastination disguised as perfectionism. The fear of failure or imperfection may be holding you back, preventing you from making tangible progress.

How do I stop being a perfectionist?

To overcome perfectionism, it's essential to shift your focus from planning to implementation. Stop waiting for the perfect moment and take action. Visualize the future consequences of inaction, and remember the words of Dan Sullivan: "The definition of hell is your last day on Earth, the person you became meets the person you could have become."

Sign 2: Setting Unrealistic Standards

Setting high standards for oneself is commendable, but when those standards become unrealistic, they can hinder productivity and well-being. Perfectionist tendencies may lead you to set unattainable goals, setting yourself up for constant disappointment.

How can I deal with procrastination?

It's crucial to strike a balance between ambition and realism. Aim for the stars, but be prepared to land on the moon. Understand your own limitations and capabilities, and set goals that are challenging yet achievable. This is entirely a personal evaluation and decision. If you must see results in order to progress, then you are not a perfectionist and are simply a procrastinator and should focus on small incremental goals. If you can work for years without seeing the results then shoot for the unattainable and what others deem “unrealistic” because you are ok with aiming for unrealistic.

Sign 3: Chronic Procrastination

Chronic procrastination is a common symptom of the self-proclaimed perfectionist. Despite having the ability to complete tasks, individuals may find themselves constantly delaying action due to fear of failure or imperfection, which his exactly what makes them a procrastinator and not a perfectionist. If you haven’t caught on to the theme of this article yet, if you are procrastinating then you are by definition not a perfectionist.

How can I overcome the fear of failure and procrastination?

The antidote to procrastination is action. Start small, and don't wait for the perfect moment to begin. Every time you think about a task, take a small step towards completing it. Action breeds momentum, and momentum overcomes inertia. This does require self-accountability, but setting the trigger for yourself as being the thought is incredibly beneficial and will enable success in many realms of your life.

Sign 4: Fear of Criticism or Judgment

The fear of criticism or judgment can paralyze individuals, preventing them from taking action on their goals. Perfectionism fuels this fear, as individuals strive to meet impossible standards to avoid the sting of failure.

Most of us regardless of whether or not we are a perfectionist are our own worst critic. This is actually the key to overcoming the fear of external criticism and judgment. If we aim in everything that we do to silence that internal voice that nit picks and criticizes our efforts, then everyone else’s judgments lose their sting. If you can solve for the “But I will know” circumstances as it relates to doing better, putting in more effort, taking more time, etc, then the external validation simply becomes feedback, as it should be.

As an aside here, people will criticize you for both action and inaction, so which would you prefer? Ask yourself, “Do I want to be known as the person who didn’t produce the game-changing result?” or “Do I want to be known as the person who never tried?”. Again this is a personal question to answer, but the former is the only one that indicates you are a potential perfectionist, while the other clearly indicates that are a procrastinator.

What trauma causes perfectionism?

Perfectionism can be exacerbated by past experiences of trauma or failure. Individuals may develop perfectionist tendencies as a coping mechanism, seeking to regain control in the face of adversity.

Sign 5: Difficulty Starting or Finishing Tasks

If you find yourself struggling to start or finish tasks due to "perfectionist" tendencies, it's time to reevaluate your approach. True perfectionists devote all their time and resources to perfecting their craft, while procrastinators use perfectionism as an excuse to avoid action altogether.

How do I deal with procrastination?

The key to overcoming procrastination is to simply start. Don't wait for the perfect moment or mood to strike – take action now, even if it's just a small step forward. Remember, progress is made through consistent effort, not perfection. I am not ignorant to the fact I am making this sound incredibly simple, because it is, but just because it’s simple doesn’t mean it’s easy. As stated previously, build the habit that “thought = action” and you will get to where you want to go.

**Bonus Awareness** - Thought = Action can be taken too far in terms of creating a self-induced ADHD effect, so make sure you aren’t training yourself to switch gears every 30 seconds, but maybe instead of switching tasks you plan when your next action will be taken and stick to it.

Sign 6: Constant Need for Validation

Relying on external validation to affirm your worthiness is a sure sign that you're not truly a perfectionist. True perfectionists have internal standards that drive their pursuit of excellence, while those who seek external validation are often motivated by insecurity or fear of failure.

How do I cultivate self-validation and confidence?

Focus on developing your own internal compass rather than seeking validation from others. Trust in your abilities and embrace the journey of self-discovery and growth. Surround yourself with supportive individuals who encourage your personal and professional development. Lastly, learn to listen and converse with your internal monologue and make it a dialogue. People will say “Its crazy people who talked to themselves!!”, but it’s also crazy people who change the world, is it not?

Sign 7: All-or-Nothing Thinking

Viewing outcomes as either perfect or failures is a common pitfall of perfectionism. While aiming for perfection can be admirable, it's essential to recognize that perfection is often unattainable. Embrace progress over perfection, and strive for continuous improvement.

How do I embrace progress over perfection?

Finding a healthy balance in your mindset is key to navigating the spectrum of perfectionism. It's important to recognize that perfection is subjective and often unattainable. While striving for excellence is commendable, it's equally vital to acknowledge that perfectionism shouldn't be a heavy burden on your shoulders. Instead of viewing outcomes as either perfect or failures, consider them as points on a spectrum of growth and improvement. Embracing this perspective allows for continuous progress without the weight of unrealistic expectations. Remember, it's not about achieving perfection but rather about striving for excellence while maintaining a healthy level of self-awareness and self-compassion.

Sign 8: Procrastination Disguised as Productivity

Justifying procrastination under the guise of productivity is a dangerous trap that many fall into. Engaging in excessive research or busywork may feel productive, but true progress comes from taking action and moving towards your goals.

How do I prioritize tasks and stay focused on meaningful work?

Identify your most important tasks and allocate your time and energy accordingly. Break larger projects down into smaller, manageable tasks, and tackle them one step at a time. Stay disciplined and focused on the tasks that will have the greatest impact on your goals.

The biggest factor here is genuinely embracing the work. Researching for the work, watching videos on the work, talking about the work, anything but doing the work isn’t doing the work. Nobody has gotten great at anything without doing and practicing. Even you, reading this right now, were you simply taught to read and Poof! you had the reading level you do right this second? Or have you read things since being taught to read which have allowed you to get better over time? Only doing the work is doing the work, don’t fall for the false progress anything else presents itself as.

Sign 9: Perfectionism as a Form of Resistance

Perfectionism can serve as a form of resistance to change or growth, keeping individuals stuck in their comfort zones. Embracing imperfection and stepping outside of your comfort zone is essential for personal and professional development.

How do I stop being a perfectionist?

Challenge yourself to embrace imperfection and take calculated risks. Recognize that failure is a natural part of the learning process and an opportunity for growth. Surround yourself with supportive individuals who encourage risk-taking and innovation.

Sign 10: Feeling Overwhelmed and Stressed

Constantly striving for perfection can take a toll on your mental and emotional well-being, leading to feelings of overwhelm and stress. It's essential to prioritize self-care and stress management techniques to maintain balance and perspective. This can come in 2 forms when it comes to perfectionism and only 1 form in procrastination in my assessment.

For perfectionism you have a fork in the road, you either realize you aren’t a perfectionist, at which point you can stop identifying as one and remove the stress caused by claiming to be one and not actually being one. The other path of the road is actually being a perfectionist and leaning into it, which will also remove the stress because now you know and are honest with yourself what the path forward looks like. Not all stress is bad and this will flip the negative into the positive.

For procrastination, the only path to overcome the overwhelm and stress caused by it, is to take the action. The entire theme of this article is to simply do and stop lying to yourself about who you are and what your methods are. Identify the truth, aim for it, and start going for it.

In conclusion, it's time to challenge the notion of perfectionism and recognize it for what it often is: procrastination in disguise. By acknowledging the signs and taking proactive steps to overcome procrastination, you can unlock your true potential and achieve greater success in both your personal and professional life. Embrace progress over perfection, and watch as your productivity and fulfillment soar.

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