5 Steps to Freeing Yourself from the Chains of Perfectionism

Photo by Juan Felipe Ramírez

Perfectionism, a trait many of us wear as a badge of honor, is proven in consciousness calibrations to be more of a curse than a blessing. While striving for excellence can lead to significant accomplishments, an obsessive need for perfection can cause stress anxiety, and even halt progress.

In fact, according to ConsciousnessCalibrations.com, perfectionism calibrates at 180 on the Map of Consciousness® (the same destructive, downward-pulling, and negative energy as a politician!?!) Even worse is what Brian Gibbs, Founder of ConsciousnessCalibrations.com, calls the “perfection instinct” which calibrates at 160 on the Map of Consciousness®.

This is the same impersonal attractor field of energy as SCORN, the GLAMOUR EFFECT, and (no surprise) UNWORTHINESS.

Understanding and overcoming perfectionism is a journey, one that requires introspection, patience, and a lot of self-love. This blog post will guide you through five steps to help you break free from the chains of perfectionism, revealing a life where mistakes are stepping stones, not stumbling blocks.

Introduction

Explanation of what perfectionism is and how it can hold you back

Perfectionism is a personality trait characterized by striving for flawlessness and setting high-performance standards, accompanied by critical self-evaluations and concerns regarding others’ evaluations (Hewitt & Flett, 1991). It can often lead to unnecessary anxiety and stress, as well as time wasted on unimportant details.

Book Calibrates at 425. Excellence Calibrates at 460

While perfectionism can appear to motivate you to perform at a high level and deliver top-quality work, it can also slow you down and prevent you from completing tasks or achieving your goals (Knight, 2019). The desire to make everything perfect can make you lose sight of the bigger picture and hinder your progress. Moreover, the fear of making mistakes can paralyze you, causing procrastination and even complete avoidance of specific tasks.

The better way to go…the far superior alignment (in consciousness) is to intend (310-powerful) for Mastery (450-powerful) and/or Excellence (460-powerful).

These are significantly more powerful magnetic attractor fields in consciousness than perfectionism (160-180-negative orientation)

Discussion of the signs and symptoms of perfectionism

Photo by Mikhail Nilov

The first step in overcoming perfectionism is recognizing when you fall into the perfectionist mindset. Signs of perfectionism include all-or-nothing thinking, where anything less than perfect is viewed as a failure; an excessive focus on the result, losing sight of the learning process; fear and avoidance of failure; constant self-criticism and dissatisfaction with performance; and procrastination or delay in starting tasks due to fear of not doing them perfectly.

Tips for identifying perfectionistic thoughts and behaviors in yourself

Now that you know the signs, it’s essential to monitor your thoughts and behaviors for these patterns. Self-reflection is critical here. Pay attention to when you feel stressed or anxious – often, these feelings can be tied to perfectionistic thoughts. Notice if you’re putting off tasks because you’re worried you won’t do them perfectly. When you make a mistake, observe how you react.

Do you beat yourself up over it?

Self-scrutiny is a downward spiral energetically into low-level destructive fields of energy. This is the slippery slope and a trap in lower consciousness.

When I first understood I was stuck in an energy field of self -scrutiny, I immediately pivoted into a neutral stance and cease and desisted with self-scrutiny. It was that simple and obvious to me. – Liz Gracia, Teacher of Consciousness

If you identify with these behaviors, you may be dealing with perfectionism.

Each of us holds the potential to make a unique and powerful contribution to the world. But things like procrastination, perfectionism, poor time management, and distractions often limit our ability to do deep, productive work.

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*Per our testing in November of 2023 of PositivePsychology.com,  the company, website content, and class content calibrate at significant levels in consciousness in a range of 405-545. Learn more about the calibrated levels of consciousness and the Map of Consciousness® here.

Explanation of how perfectionistic beliefs can be limiting

Perfectionistic beliefs can limit your growth and potential.

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Again, it is proven that there is *NO ENERGY in consciousness for growth with perfectionist beliefs.

They can prevent you from taking risks, trying new things, or stepping out of your comfort zone for fear of not being perfect. These beliefs can also cause you to waste time and energy on tasks that don’t need to be perfect, leading to inefficiency and burnout.

Strategies for questioning and reframing perfectionistic thoughts

Questioning and reframing your perfectionistic thoughts is a powerful way to overcome perfectionism.

When you catch yourself thinking in absolutes (e.g., “If this isn’t perfect, I’ve failed.”), stop and question that thought.

Is it true?

Is there no middle ground?

Try to reframe the thought more positively and realistically (e.g., “Even if this isn’t perfect, I can learn from it and improve.”)

*All levels of consciousness are impersonal attractor fields of energy. There is no opinion or judgment about them. It is your free will to choose any attractor fields in consciousness that you want. I am bringing to light the effect that unconsciously choosing perfectionism, or any lower level of consciousness, can have on your life.

Photo by Elina Fairytale

Discussion of the benefits of embracing imperfection

Embracing imperfection is liberating. It frees you from the unrealistic standards that perfectionism sets. When you embrace imperfection, you open yourself to new experiences, learning, and growth. You become more resilient as you learn to see mistakes and failures as opportunities for improvement rather than signs of inadequacy.

Tips for letting go of the need to be perfect and accepting mistakes

Letting go of the need to be perfect involves accepting that mistakes and imperfections are part of being human. Practice self-compassion when making mistakes, reminding yourself that everyone makes them. Focus more on the process and effort involved in your tasks rather than just the result. And remember, it’s okay to ask for help. Nobody knows everything or can do everything perfectly, not even Martha Stewart!

Photo by Matthias Groeneveld

Explanation of the importance of setting realistic goals

Setting realistic goals is crucial in overcoming perfectionism. Unrealistic goals set you up for failure and disappointment, fueling your perfectionistic tendencies. On the other hand, realistic goals can boost your confidence and motivate you, as they’re attainable and within your control.

Strategies for creating achievable and meaningful goals

When setting goals, make sure they’re specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). This helps ensure your goals are clear and reachable. Also, make sure your goals are based on your own values and aspirations, not someone else’s expectations or standards. This makes them more meaningful and motivating to you.

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*Per our testing in November of 2023 of PositivePsychology.com,  the company, website content, and class content calibrate at significant levels in consciousness in a range of 405-545. Learn more about the calibrated levels of consciousness and the Map of Consciousness® here.

Discussion of the role of self-acceptance and compassion in overcoming perfectionism

Self-acceptance, forgiveness, and compassion play a critical role in overcoming perfectionism. It involves treating yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer to a friend. When we make mistakes or fail to meet our high standards, self-forgiveness encourages us to acknowledge our pain, recognize our common humanity, and be mindful of our negative emotions without suppressing or exaggerating them.

Techniques for cultivating self-compassion and practicing self-care

To cultivate self-compassion, start by noticing your self-talk when you make a mistake. Is it harsh and critical? Try to replace these negative messages with kinder, more compassionate ones. Practice mindfulness, which can help you respond to your mistakes and shortcomings with more understanding and less judgment. And don’t forget to take care of your physical health as well by eating healthy, getting regular exercise, and ensuring you get enough sleep.

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*Per our testing in November of 2023 of PositivePsychology.com,  the company, website content, and class content calibrate at significant levels in consciousness in a range of 405-545. Learn more about the calibrated levels of consciousness and the Map of Consciousness® here.

Recap of the steps to break free from perfectionism and encourage personal development

In conclusion, breaking free from perfectionism is about embracing your imperfections, challenging your limiting beliefs, setting realistic goals, and practicing self-compassion. While the journey might not be easy, it’s undoubtedly rewarding. As you make these changes, you’ll likely feel less stressed and more satisfied with your life. You’ll be able to see mistakes as learning opportunities rather than failures. You’ll be able to focus on making progress rather than striving for unattainable perfection. And most importantly, you’ll be able to enjoy the journey, not just the destination.

Remember, overcoming perfectionism isn’t about lowering your standards or settling for mediocrity. It’s about finding a healthier, more balanced approach to striving for excellence—one that values progress over perfection, effort over outcome, and self-compassion over self-criticism.

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