How Perfectionism Can Contribute to Work Burnout

If you are someone who needs a high level of control, for everything to go your way, and for high standards in every task, you probably already know you are a perfectionist. Many workplaces encourage, champion, and even require certain levels of perfectionism to get the job done.

Perfectionism is a key factor in meeting deadlines, making progress, and maintaining high standards of output. However, perfectionism is also the main contributor to low morale in the workplace and eventual work burnout. It is essential to observe and confront the effects of perfectionism, both for the longevity and the health of any project.

The Roots of Perfectionism

Some people have realized that it pays to be orderly, tidy, focused, and punctual. These types of people believe the success of work projects often rests on these things. These are not only habits, they are also attitudes, and they are unquestionably beneficial.

On the other hand, some people cannot focus unless everything in their environment meets the standards they have set, and their progress and mood can often be severely affected if things do not go their way. People in the latter category are far less happy in their careers and far more likely to experience work burnout.

There is a vast difference between preferring and striving for optimum results, and not being able to function unless every aspect of the project is perfect. There are neat people, and then there are perfectionists. One is a personality trait, and the other is a trauma response.

Perfectionism is a bigger issue than most people are willing to admit, though they know something isn’t right in themselves. Their career might be soaring as their relationships crumble, but they simply crack down and focus even harder on their work.

Often, it is only when progress at work begins stalling that they can finally admit to themselves that they are burnt out and need help. By this time, the damage is often already done. If it’s not their personal lives that have suffered, it’s their physical health. In many cases, it is both. Perfectionism isn’t a tool that helps achievement; it is a coping mechanism that usually results in isolation, exhaustion, and depression.

At their core, most perfectionists feel out of control in their personal lives, even though it may seem that they have everything together. They control their worlds through micromanaging and overachieving, but that only contributes to the damage.

If they don’t end up experiencing work burnout, then their colleagues, teams, and employees soon will. Perfectionism is not about success, achievements, standards, or goals. It is about trying to fix something internal, regarding all of the things you believe have more value than you do. When your self-worth is linked to your achievements, failure and perceived failure are your biggest threats. Perfectionism is an avoidant behavior, though you don’t know anything different. There is still time to confront yourself and make a change, and the sooner you start, the sooner you heal.

How Perfectionism Contributes to Work Burnout

It makes you a harsh critic When you are a perfectionist, you are your own harshest critic, but you are also a critic by nature. You find flaws where others don’t. This can damage relationships with colleagues, as they may feel held to unrealistic expectations.

It makes you procrastinate Rather than propel projects, perfectionism often causes you to delay them. You are held back from progress because you are afraid of failure. It is exhausting to always be caught in the tension of needing to make progress, but holding back because of fear. Procrastinating in this way is like endlessly treading water: you get tired from going nowhere.

It has you always planning but never acting Related to fear of failure and procrastination, perfectionism can get you caught in the planning phase for far too long, inhibiting progress. If you are the leader of a team, this attitude can likely filter down to the workers. Knowing your strict need for perfection, they’ll likely overplan rather than risk disappointing you with weak results.

It makes you obsessed Perfectionists are not simply detail-oriented. They pour all of their focus and energy into the details of a project. Not only is this exhausting and frustrating, but it also causes you to lose sight of the bigger picture. When you forget about the why of a job, work burnout will swiftly follow. Don’t let your projects perish because you lose sight of the bigger picture.

It makes you overly sensitive to criticism Every aspect of a workplace benefits from evaluation and feedback occasionally. This is how you know you’re making progress and that it is in the right direction.

However, perfectionists find it hard not to take feedback personally. When your self-worth is entirely dependent on success, even helpful advice feels like criticism. To avoid work burnout, it is helpful to learn to take advice, feedback, and criticism when necessary.

It causes you to dwell on failures Perfectionism will have you fixating on failures, both your own and those around you. You begin to focus on everything that went wrong, and rarely ever celebrate what went right.

Nothing kills morale faster than successes and breakthroughs that go unnoticed. What is the point of doing anything if your achievements are never acknowledged? On the other hand, hearing praise for a job well done is fuel for even the weariest of workers, yourself included.

It is never satisfying Perfectionism always leads to work burnout because it never feels like you’ve achieved enough. It is an endless journey through the wilderness of ignored achievements toward the Promised Land, but it never concludes.

One by one, your team burns out until you’re alone in chasing the mirages of success and contentment. Until you begin reflecting on what is driving your perfectionism, you may have a bleak future to look forward to, one devoid of satisfaction and contentment.

Make New Choices

The good news is that we can learn new things. We can change, grow, improve, heal, and right our wrongs. It all starts with self-reflection and a willingness to embrace change.

You’ve done the best you can until now. Even in your failures, your efforts were impressive. Even if you never met another goal, you would still have worth because of who you are. You might have had to work hard to gain respect, affection, and acceptance, but none of those things fully define you. You are more than the sum of your failures and successes. In fact, below is the truth about who God says you are:

You are God’s child “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1).

You are loved unconditionally “I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love” (Romans 8:38-39).

You are God’s masterpiece (handiwork) “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Ephesians 2:10).

You are fearfully and wonderfully made “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14).

Perfectionism will always keep you busy if you allow it. You will forget what it feels like to rest, recharge, and reflect on your journey. You will always feel as if you haven’t done enough and don’t deserve a break.

The first step in confronting perfectionism is to interrupt it by simply stopping. This could look like taking the day off from work or booking some extended time off. It requires you to lean into whatever you have been avoiding. If it helps, remind yourself that sometimes the smallest changes bring about the best results. You’ve got what it takes to make the necessary changes to your life.

It’s a lot easier to make big life changes when you have someone helping you. If you would like to meet with a counselor, please consult our online directory. Alternatively, you may speak with our reception team, who would be delighted to help you find the right counselor to meet with.