Feeling mentally drained by a simple decision? Trust me, you’re not alone.
Many of us face this struggle, and it’s often linked to seven common perfectionist patterns.
It’s not about being indecisive or lacking direction.
It’s about the drive to make the best possible choice, every single time, which can lead to mental exhaustion.
The good news?
By recognizing these patterns, you can start making decisions with less stress and more confidence.
Lets dive in!
1) Fear of making a mistake
We’ve all been there. Staring at a menu, overwhelmed by the options and worried about picking the ‘wrong’ dish.
But here’s the thing: it’s just a meal, not a life-altering decision.
This kind of mental exhaustion can often be traced back to a deep-seated fear of making mistakes.
Perfectionists typically strive to avoid errors at all costs, which can turn even the smallest decisions into high-stakes situations.
However, in reality, most choices we make aren’t as consequential as we believe. And even when we do make mistakes, they’re usually not as catastrophic as we fear.
Understanding this pattern is the first step towards easing decision-making stress. Recognize that it’s okay to make mistakes – they’re often our best teachers.
And remember, not every decision needs to carry the weight of the world.
2) Overthinking every possibility
I’ll let you in on a little secret from my own life. I used to be a chronic overthinker.
From choosing a vacation destination to deciding on a new software for my business, I would dwell on every possible outcome before making a decision.
This is a common pattern among perfectionists. We tend to go down the rabbit hole of ‘what if’ scenarios, trying to anticipate and prepare for every potential result.
This over-analysis can lead to analysis paralysis, making even the simplest choices seem daunting.
Once I learned to identify this pattern, I began to challenge it. I started setting time limits for decisions, and reminding myself that it’s impossible to predict every outcome.
Gradually, decision-making became less draining and more efficient.
It’s a work in progress, but recognizing the pattern has been half the battle.
3) Striving for the ideal
Here’s something you might not know: the word ‘perfect’ comes from the Latin word ‘perfectus’, meaning ‘completed’.
In its original form, it had nothing to do with flawlessness, but rather completion.
Perfectionists often equate ‘perfect’ with ‘ideal’, and strive to achieve this in every decision they make.
From finding the ideal partner to creating the ideal business plan, they set incredibly high standards for themselves, turning even simple choices into monumental tasks.
However, the truth is, there is no such thing as an ideal choice.
Every decision comes with its own set of pros and cons.
Recognizing this can help lessen the mental burden of trying to find a non-existent ‘perfect’ option.
Instead, aim for choices that are ‘good enough’ and embrace the idea that it’s okay to be imperfect.
4) Fear of judgment
Imagine the scene. You’re in a meeting, and you’re asked for your opinion.
Instead of speaking up, you hesitate, worried about saying something ‘wrong’ and being judged by your peers.
This fear is common among perfectionists.
They often worry excessively about how others perceive their choices, making even small decisions feel like public performances subject to critique.
The key here is to remember that everyone is entitled to their opinion and that it’s okay if everyone doesn’t agree with your choices.
More importantly, most people are too caught up in their own lives to scrutinize your decisions as much as you might think. Learning to trust your instincts can go a long way in easing the stress of decision-making.
5) All-or-nothing thinking
I remember a time when I thought success meant getting everything right, all the time.
If I couldn’t do something perfectly, I felt like I shouldn’t bother doing it at all.
This black-and-white mindset often rendered me stuck, unable to make decisions for fear of not being ‘perfect’.
This all-or-nothing thinking is a hallmark of perfectionism. It’s a binary view of the world that can make decision-making an exhausting process.
What helped me overcome this was embracing the grey areas and accepting that life is full of nuances.
Rather than seeing things as ‘perfect’ or ‘failure’, I learned to appreciate progress and effort, which in turn made decision-making less stressful and more rewarding.
6) Inability to delegate
Running a business often involves delegating tasks to your team.
But for perfectionists, this can be a real challenge.
They often believe that if they want something done right, they have to do it themselves. As a result, they take on too much, leaving them mentally drained and unable to make even simple choices.
Delegating doesn’t mean you’re shirking responsibility or that you’re incapable.
On the contrary, it demonstrates leadership and trust in your team’s abilities.
By learning to let go of the reins a bit and trusting others to handle certain decisions, you can reduce mental exhaustion and increase productivity.
7) Doubting past decisions
Perfectionists often find themselves second-guessing their past choices, wondering if they could have done something differently or better.
This constant self-doubt can make future decision-making even more daunting, creating a vicious cycle of indecisiveness and mental exhaustion.
Hindsight is 20/20. It’s easy to look back and question past decisions, but this isn’t constructive or fair to yourself.
Each decision you make is based on the information and resources you have at that moment.
Instead of dwelling on the past, focus on learning from it and applying those lessons to future choices.
Ultimately, it’s about self-awareness
The complexities of human behavior are deeply intertwined with our individual personality traits and thought patterns.
One such complexity is the way perfectionists approach decision-making.
These seven patterns we’ve discussed are not inherently negative. In fact, they often stem from a strong desire for excellence and a meticulous attention to detail.
Both of these traits can be incredibly beneficial in various aspects of life and business.
However, when these patterns lead to mental exhaustion from simple decision-making, it’s time for reflection and action.
The key lies in self-awareness – recognizing these patterns and understanding how they impact your mental wellbeing.
Whether it’s letting go of the fear of making mistakes, learning to delegate, or breaking free from all-or-nothing thinking, the journey starts with identifying these patterns.
Perfection isn’t about flawlessness – it’s about striving for progress and growth.
Take a moment to reflect on these patterns, and empower yourself to make decisions with less stress and more confidence.
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