Eliminate Perfectionism at Work and Embrace Good Enough

We all take pride in producing high-quality work. But what’s the real cost of perfection? As Voltaire said, “Perfect is the enemy of good.” Research shows that constantly striving for perfection can hinder progress, create inefficiency, and contribute to burnout, depression, and even a shorter lifespan.

Three Types of Perfectionism

A meta-analysis by Thomas Curran and Andrew P. Hill identified three types of perfectionism:

• Self-oriented: Internally motivated to meet impossibly high standards.
• Socially prescribed: Driven by the belief that others expect perfection.
• Other-oriented: Holding others to unrealistic standards.

The Pitfalls of Perfectionism

Perfectionism often leads to procrastination, low self-worth, and missed opportunities. Despite good intentions, it can negatively affect mental and physical well-being.

Common side effects include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Low self-worth
• Reduced life expectancy
• Social disconnection
• Lower life satisfaction
• Decreased productivity and effectiveness
• Reduced profitability

Perfectionism vs. Progress

The Pareto Principle, or 80/20 Rule, reminds us that 80% of results often come from just 20% of the effort. The remaining 80% of effort spent “perfecting” often contributes little to the outcome—just diminishing returns.

Similarly, the law of diminishing returns shows that after a certain point, putting more time or resources into a task yields less benefit. In fact, research shows that highly perfectionist professors don’t outperform their non-perfectionist peers.

As entrepreneur Mark Cuban said:
“Perfection is the enemy of profitability… You don’t need to be perfect because nobody is.”

The Power of Imperfection

Psychologist Elliot Aronson’s Pratfall Effect suggests that highly competent people become more likeable when they make mistakes—it humanizes them. Many cultures embrace this idea:

• Navajo weavers leave intentional flaws called “spirit lines.”
• Japanese artisans practice wabi-sabi, embracing asymmetry and imperfection.

On social media, brands that show imperfections often enjoy higher engagement. It’s not about being sloppy—it’s about being human.

The Cult of Imperfection

In 1937, Sir Robert Watson-Watt developed an early-warning radar that helped Britain during WWII. It wasn’t perfect, but it was effective. He believed in the “cult of imperfection,” saying:
“One must choose the third best solution because the second best comes too late, and the first best doesn’t exist.”

Modern companies embrace this philosophy by launching software with known bugs—because releasing something good is better than waiting endlessly for something perfect.

Is Perfection Holding You Back?

You might be a perfectionist if you:

• Set unrealistic goals
• Procrastinate
• Struggle to delegate
• Micromanage
• Fear failure or avoid risks
• React defensively to feedback
• Never feel “good enough”
• Equate likeability with achievement

How to Manage Perfectionism

Try these strategies to balance high standards with progress:

• Let go of ego – Perfectionism can stem from pride. Embrace vulnerability.
• Start at the end – Work backwards from the goal to set realistic timelines.
• Prioritize – Manage time effectively and avoid fixating on minor details. (More tips)
• Learn from mistakes – Failure is often the best teacher.
• Celebrate wins – Build momentum with positivity.
• Practice mindfulness – Catch yourself when you're ruminating.
• Step back – Don’t get lost in the weeds; focus on the bigger picture.
• Keep the end-goal in mind – Stay solution-oriented.

Coaching Can Help

Perfection is unattainable—and expecting it from yourself or your team can hinder performance and create stress. If you're struggling to let go, digital coaching can support you in shifting to a healthier, more productive mindset.

At CoachHub, we help leaders and teams embrace “good enough”—to boost results and accelerate progress. Explore our platform to learn how.