Signs Your Perfectionism at the Workplace Is Becoming Toxic

Perfectionism can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it can be a great motivator and help you strive for excellence in your work. On the other hand, it can lead to a toxic work environment and burnout if taken too far.

Lucy, a fabulous thirty-something-year-old, had always been a hardworking and determined professional. She excelled in her career as a marketing executive, with a reputation for being detail-oriented and never missing a deadline. However, her perfectionism began to take a toxic turn.

Lucy started to put unrealistic pressure on herself to be perfect in every aspect of her job. She spent long hours at work, constantly checking and double-checking her work and never taking breaks. She even started to bring work home with her, often staying up late into the night to finish projects.

Despite her efforts, Lucy's stress and burnout began to affect her work. She started making small mistakes and missing deadlines, causing her confidence to plummet. Her colleagues noticed the change in her demeanour, and her family and friends became worried about her.

Lucy didn't know how to break the cycle of perfectionism and stress. She felt like a failure and was too ashamed to ask for help. Her work suffered even more, and she eventually had to take a leave of absence to focus on her mental health.

During her time off, Lucy began to see a coach and learn healthy coping mechanisms. She realized that her perfectionism had caused her to prioritize work over her own well-being. With time, Lucy began to regain her confidence and found new ways to approach her work that didn't involve toxic perfectionism.

When Lucy returned to work, she was amazed at how different her mindset was. She no longer felt the need to be perfect and instead focused on doing her best without sacrificing her mental health. Her colleagues noticed the change in her and welcomed her back with open arms. Lucy had learned an important lesson - that sometimes, the key to success is learning to let go of toxic perfectionism. There is a fine line between healthy and toxic perfectionism. When perfectionism becomes toxic, it can negatively impact an individual's well-being and productivity.

Here are some signs your perfectionism at the workplace is becoming toxic and how you can overcome it. 

1. You micromanage your colleagues.
   Do you find yourself hovering over your colleagues' shoulders and critiquing every little thing they do? If so, you may be a micromanager. While it's important to ensure everyone is on the same page and that tasks are being completed to the best of everyone's ability, micromanaging can lead to a lack of trust and resentment among your colleagues.

2. You're never satisfied with your work.
If you're constantly second-guessing yourself and striving for perfection in everything you do, it's easy to fall into the trap of feeling like nothing you ever do is good enough. This can lead to a lack of satisfaction with your work, even when others are impressed by it. If you find yourself being overly critical, it is important to take a step back and focus on the positives. Recognize that mistakes are a natural part of the learning process and that constructive feedback can help improve performance.

3. You're constantly stressed and burnt out.
When your perfectionism leads you to take on more than you can handle or work longer hours than is sustainable, you may be headed for burnout. Constantly feeling stressed and overwhelmed can negatively impact your mental health and overall well-being.

Here are four simple steps that you can take to help you overcome toxic perfectionism.

1. Learn to delegate.
   If you're a micromanager, it's important to learn to let go of control and trust your colleagues to do their jobs. Delegating tasks to others can not only relieve some of your stress but also help your colleagues grow and develop their skills.

2. Celebrate small victories.
   Instead of focusing solely on the end result, try to appreciate the small victories along the way. Celebrating small wins can help you stay motivated and feel more satisfied with your work.

3. Set realistic expectations.
   Instead of aiming for perfection, set realistic expectations for yourself and your work. Recognize that sometimes good enough is good enough, and that's okay.

4. Learn to laugh at yourself.
   Sometimes, the best way to overcome toxic perfectionism is to laugh at yourself. When you make a mistake, instead of beating yourself up over it, try to find the humour in the situation. Not only will it help you feel better about yourself, but it can also help you connect with your colleagues on a more human level.

While perfectionism can be a great motivator, it's important to recognize when it's becoming toxic and learn to overcome it. By learning to delegate, celebrating small victories, setting realistic expectations, and laughing at yourself, you can create a more positive and productive work environment for yourself and your colleagues. So go ahead and strive for excellence, but don't forget to enjoy the journey along the way.

If you're grappling with perfectionism at work and find yourself obsessing over every detail or fearing that your work isn’t good enough, check out my signature coaching programme, Clarity and Confidence. This programme is designed to help you conquer your inner perfectionist and overcome self-doubt, allowing you to evolve into the accomplished professional you aspire to be. I'll equip you with practical strategies to ease the pressure, enhance your self-assurance, and authentically present your capabilities. By mastering these techniques, you'll be better prepared to navigate workplace challenges with composure, ultimately elevating your performance and success in your professional endeavours.