Fighting Perfectionism
Tags: perfectionism, blog, softwareengineering
Published: 2023-01-09 20:26:53

[caption id="attachment_690" align="alignnone" width="1702"]<img src="https://codingforspeed.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/partner-software-engineer-microsoft.jpg" alt="Microsoft Partner Software Engineer" width="1702" height="1276" class="size-full wp-image-690" /> Microsoft Partner Software Engineer[/caption]

as you know, there is a superpower called <a href="https://codingforspeed.com/finding-that-perfect-code/" title="Finding That Perfect Code">consistency</a>.

We are doing our best to deliver each Thursday. And yesterday, without notifying their customers, our mail provider decided to do the maintenance during working hours.

How are you handling the maintenance, and do you have any good practices to share? Just hit reply! Would love to do an issue on this.

The not-so-fun fact - did you know that the first study to analyse perfectionism across generations revealed that, compared to the 1990s and the early 2000s, the typical person in 2017 was far more likely to exhibit perfectionistic traits?

As well-meaning as the term sounds, perfectionism is far less than perfect. In fact, it can feel like an invisible <a href="https://helloacm.com/multithreading-testing-using-pythons-low-level-_threading-module/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">thread</a> preventing us from reaching our greatest potential and is rather detrimental. 

So, how do we tackle it?

<h3>What is 'perfectionism'?</h3>
Perfectionism results from overly high standards and strict devotion to those standards.

In perfectionism, the standards are typically not the issue - the rigidity surrounding such standards makes us stuck in one place. You might not consider your perfectionism an issue if you consider yourself a perfectionist. But setting unattainable goals, valuing yourself based on your ability to achieve them, and indulging in constant self-criticism can only result in anxiety, stress, worry, burnout, and dissatisfaction.

Perfect code does not exist! Trying to be a perfectionist can stand in the way of becoming a good <a href="https://codingforspeed.com/cloud-dev-envs-the-future-is-here-and-its-bright/" title="Cloud Dev Envs: The Future is Here and It’s Bright">developer</a>. Of course, every developer wants their code to be perfect. But little do they know that no code is perfect - it's only ever good enough. 

Now, the big question is - how can you stop putting yourself to unreasonably high standards?

<h4>Creating a psychologically safe environment at work</h4>
In an environment where psychological safety exists, all team members are at ease contributing original ideas and taking cautious risks. If their job has a culture where even little mistakes are met with severe criticism and public humiliation, perfectionists will fly into overdrive. However, we are almost sure that this is not the culture at work. If you have lately found yourself losing your temper over a few minor issues, try to control your emotional response moving forward.

<h4>Embracing 'good enough'</h4>
In general, the key to applying the 'good enough' concept is to recognise what is a good enough point for you and then stop once you reach it. The key is to establish this benchmark utilising a healthy thought process. Your definition of good enough for you might be as low or as high as required. Remember, when appropriate, any code might be far better than the 'perfect <a href="https://codingforspeed.com/how-do-you-protect-the-source-code/" title="How do you protect the source code?">code</a>'.

<h4>Breaking down projects into specific tasks</h4>
Breaking <a href="https://codingforspeed.com/do-you-need-objectives-and-key-results-okr-or-is-it-just-a-current-fancy/" title="Do you need Objectives and Key Results (OKR), or is it just a current fancy?">projects</a> into manageable tasks is perhaps one of the most popular <a href="https://codingforspeed.com/maximizing-dev-productivity/" title="Maximizing Dev Productivity">productivity</a> tips - and it's crucial for perfectionists. Projects can be broken down into steps or time frames. Either way, you have a clear list of steps to follow rather than a massive, blurry cloud of high expectations hovering over your head. 

<h4>Separating your self-worth from work</h4>
Hard pill to swallow? You will be set free once you realise your value is not determined by how well-organized your code is, how well you completed a project, or how flawlessly your emails are written. Perfectionism must be put on the back burner in favour of a more comprehensive understanding of your identity, intrinsic worth, and the job to be done.

Reposted to [Blog](https://codingforspeed.com/fighting-perfectionism/)