Let Go of Perfectionism
Perfectionism is one of the main causes of holiday stress. It involves going all-out in every holiday activity and can be felt by you and everyone around you. Instead of enjoying the holiday season, it makes you feel inferior, overwhelmed and even unhappy. It can rob you and your family of the very joy and peace you are seeking. Here are a few signs of holiday perfectionism:
There is no room left in your calendar, especially for you.
You push yourself past physical and emotional limits.
You put yourself down for not getting tasks completed to your high standards.
You never feel what you are doing is good enough.
You find yourself procrastinating on major activities because you want to do an amazing job, but don't have the time to give it the attention you feel it deserves. The activity goes undone and you beat yourself up for it.
Your kids look exhausted and stressed because it is all too much.
You are doing many, many things for the holidays but are not enjoying them because you feel your efforts aren't good enough.
Solutions to holiday perfectionism:
Become aware - know the signs and examine your thinking and behavior patterns more closely.
Re-examine your thoughts - challenge thoughts of perfection.
Practice imperfection - purposely challenge yourself to do some things somewhat imperfectly.
Find support - talk to a good friend or hire a coach if you have anxiety due to perfectionism. If stress/anxiety levels are feeling unmanageable, contact a mental health professional.
Letting go of holiday perfectionism can be the best gift you give yourself this year.
Wishing you and your families all the best for a peaceful holiday season!
Janine Friedman, Owner and founder of Choice Training and Coaching Solutions, Inc. is an executive and leadership coach and holds a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) designation from the International Coaching Federation. She empowers executives to improve their performance, address their challenges, and achieve their goals through customized coaching and training. To learn more about her background click here. To schedule a conversation to discuss these ideas further, click here.
Success is a Choice