Playing perfectionist not a preferred idea
HE PERFORMS every single chore perfectly to the core. His table is devoid of any clutter, his eyes are glued to the monitor and his hands type away furiously, he finishes his task and checks the files, he re-checks the files and reaffirms the contents yet again... before submitting them.
He could have finished about three fold the work, in this span of time. He, indeed, performs every single chore perfectly to the core... ah, the ways of a perfectionist!
Perfectionists spend most of their time trying to figure out the errors in their work and how they could avoid them. They strive to make their work as error-free as possible, in their penchant for perfection.
Giving one's job cent per cent is a sincere quality, often helpful in reaching great heights. While this trait is appreciable in employees, in most cases sticklers for perfection rarely grow up to become the top-notch employees.
Workplace perfectionists can be categorised into outward and inward perfectionists. Outward perfectionists are those who expect perfection from their colleagues and subordinates.
A perfectionist boss belongs to this category. He desires extra-ordinary quality of work from you and is often left disappointed even with the best possible outcomes.
A perfectionist worker of this category is often a victim of mental trauma, as the constant feeling of not being able to live up to his boss' or superiors expectations keep worrying him.
The workplace perfectionist's quest for perfection should be contained within a certain limit. At times, the obsession for perfection can even cripple their careers considering the fact that absolute perfection is seldom attainable.
Concentration on every minute detail can lower the overall efficiency given the time constraints one works in. Deadlines, being an important aspect of workplaces, could become sworn enemies of the perfectionist.
This is because of his inability to produce quantitative and extremely high qualitative work, constantly.
An inward perfectionist is a person who experiences the inward emanation of desire for perfection. Simple and minute mistakes leave him paranoid.
While he dedicates himself to his task entirely, even quality and near-perfect work does not satiate him. He is disappointed and frustrated, for not being able to live up to the expectations. It is in fact ironic that the perfectionist does not really set any limits or standards for himself.
This unplanned and unrealistic approach contributes to his dissatisfaction.
Perfectionists make fewer mistakes, but achieve less, comparatively. This is due to the time spent on each task. Every now and then, the perfectionist procrastinates and delays projects and workloads, in his endeavour to be perfect.
Workplace psychologists believe that such traits must be recognised and counselled immediately; in order to do away with wishful thinking and to expose them to the world and limitations of pragmatism. Here are few pointers for perfectionists:
It is extremely human to err. Committing mistakes is not a matter of shame, but a natural act. Unless it is deliberate, every human commits mistakes at some point in life
It is not the end of the world to commit a mistake and get caught for it. What really matters is the sincere attempt to own up and rectify the error
Accept responsibility and do not make scapegoats of others by blaming them. Owning up mistakes takes more courage and is a nobler task than the act itself
Do not be ashamed or hide facts from your superior. Instead, take charge of your mistake openly and ensure that it is not repeated. Perceive mistakes from the purview of a learning experience. Surely, we learn from our mistakes
Apologise and do not garner the tendency to become an over-perfectionist
Keep in mind that highly valued employees, too, have erred in the past, through which they have learnt immeasurably valuable lessons.
Mistakes are an indispensable source and increase your productivity, as you would probably not repeat them.
Therefore, make use of this opportunity to learn and learn for life. After all, time is money in business.
PREETI RAGHUNATH
faqs@cnkonline.com
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