Perfectionism
Perfectionism can often lead to procrastination – when we can’t do things perfectly, it’s tempting either to give up or to not start – meaning we do nothing at all.
Last week, I saw a teenager stuck in a cycle of anxiety, perfectionism and procrastination. He becomes really easily overwhelmed by this cycle, telling me that he’d felt unable to do his History and English homework for the week perfectly, so he got stuck doing neither.
To illustrate perfectionism, I got a litre jug full of water and told him to pour all the water into a 300 ml mug, without letting any spill. He now gets that perfectionism isn’t really possible: there’s always too much to fit in.
Yesterday, when I saw him again, he said that he’s now divided his day into 14 cups, one for each hour of the day – and does his best to do his history homework in the hour he has to do it (one cup). He’s confident that he can now get perfectionism and procrastination fixed.
The water jug demonstration is a clear visual metaphor for how perfectionism creates unrealistic expectations—we’re essentially trying to fit more into our time than is possible, which leads to frustration and hopelessness. By breaking the day into manageable, one-hour “cups,” there’s a way to approach tasks with more realistic expectations and set limits that encourage action rather than avoidance.
Allowing yourself to do your best within a set period can help reduce anxiety and create momentum. This shift in perspective—from demanding perfection to embracing “good enough”—can reduce anxiety and lead to greater productivity, as it allows for forward movement without being paralyzed by the fear of not meeting impossibly high standards. It’s a strategy that helps break the cycle of procrastination and, over time, the principle of “good enough” will lessen stress, leaving you happier and with more time for fun 🤩
If you feel you need some help with perfectionism and/or procrastination, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by emailing us: [email protected]