Myth: Everything worth doing is worth doing perfectly (Part 3 of 3)

Myth: Everything Worth Doing is Worth Doing Perfectly (Part 3 of 3)

Over the past two weeks, we applied two mindset shifts and five different tools to help tame perfectionism in a scenario with competing demands. Last week, what did you decide to do "some" of? Did you celebrate your progress? This week, let's take one last look at the scenario in order to "right-size" some expectations and turn down the volume on the pressure you feel when multiple demands are competing for your attention.

Here's the scenario once more: Your boss just assigned you a major project that’s due next week. The weeds are overgrown all around the perimeter of the house. There are four baskets of laundry that need to be done. Your best friends are coming over for dinner this weekend. You haven’t exercised all week, and you owe your Aunt a phone call. If you’re a perfectionist, all of these tasks scream for your attention at once and each task demands your very best effort, resulting in a feeling of debilitating overwhelm.

Let's consider a few more mindset shifts that can put some of these demands in perspective. Chances are that one of the elements adding the greatest amount of pressure may be the desire to complete everything before your best friends join you for dinner. It's common for perfectionists to believe that their homes must be in perfect condition before anyone - even our dearest friends - can see them. If this rings a bell for you, consider a few additional mindset shifts to help tame that perfectionism.

Myth: My home needs to be perfectly cleaned and prepared before anyone comes over.
Mindset shift: My friends love me for who I am, not for having a home that's ready for HGTV. I can tidy up and clean as time and energy allow, remembering that it doesn't have to be perfect.

Myth: I have to do everything myself in order to have the perfect gathering at my home.
Mindset shift: It's okay to ask friends to share in the effort of a get-together. Guests usually enjoy contributing and appreciate your allowing them to help.

Myth: If I don't have all of my household tasks complete at all times, I am failing.
Mindset shift: It's okay for household tasks to ebb and flow. Some household tasks are truly never-ending (e.g. washing the dishes, doing the laundry, dusting the furniture, etc.). It is easy to feel frustrated that these tasks never seem "done" and blame myself for not being able to keep up with them. This thinking is unnecessarily harsh. Consider the fact that I need to shower on a regular basis - it's just the nature of how my body works. I don't beat myself up for not being able to have showers that "last." Homes are the same way. I may be "caught up" with a given task every now and then, but it's okay for everything not to be done at the same time.

The result: I will do what I can to move forward with each responsibility, trusting that my friends and I will have a wonderful time because we are sharing time together rather than because all of my household tasks are completed perfectly and independently. Also, I can arrive at the gathering less stressed and more able to enjoy the time together because I allowed myself to accept less than perfect results.

As we wrap up this scenario, what questions do you have? Which mindset shifts and tools did you find most helpful? Please share your thoughts and questions via the link below.

Take care,
Amy

PS: Pick your favorite mindset shift or tool from the last 3 weeks and apply it to a situation that you currently find challenging. Share how it goes via link below.

Share your thoughts and questions