Have you ever had a particular dream, such as changing careers or writing a novel-or even a shorter-term goal such as getting a school or work project done-and you just couldn't seem to do it? A mental block from out of nowhere seemingly holds you back?
Consider whether you might be suffering from a combination of perfectionism and fear of success. These two often go hand in hand. Perfectionism keeps you from reaching your goals because nothing you do seems "good enough." And, if you actually meet your current objective, you might feel pressured to keep that "level of success" going, which is made harder because of your perfectionism. It can be a frustrating vicious cycle.
Fortunately, there are ways to deal with these common mental blocks. Here are three simple strategies for getting around perfectionism and the fear of success:
1. Don't worry about being so perfect.
No human being is perfect. Think about the many people who have done just what you're setting out to do. Not a single one of them was perfect. They may have had unique talents, inclinations and circumstances that helped pave the way for them, but so do you. You're a person living in a modern world with the ability to make things happen.
Challenge the way you think about perfection. For example, there's no such thing as a perfectly-written essay or report-there's only such a paper written with good grammar and clear points. Beyond that, style is what matters, and every person has his or her own writing style. Or, if you're changing careers, expect to make a few mistakes along the way. You're on the path to discovering your passion and doing what you really love, which takes extraordinary courage and resolve. Congratulate yourself on having those qualities instead of putting pressure on yourself to make the perfect decision every time.
2. Take action, no matter how small it seems. Action equals progress toward achieving your goal.
Even baby steps matter-every single one. If you're building a house, every nail you knock has its place and will be a part of the eventual finished product. If you're putting together a 3,000-piece jigsaw puzzle, the moment you find two interlocking pieces is the moment you're closer to completing the masterpiece.
We tend to forget that 100 pennies equal a dollar, and that without every single one of those pennies we come up short. Remind yourself that baby steps are important and nothing to be ashamed of. Do as much as you can to work towards your goal at one time, but at the very least, take a baby step every day. The fear of success (and the fear of failure, for that matter) goes right out of the window as you make progress towards your goal, no matter how small those increments of progress are.
3. Take a break, reward yourself, and keep on going.
Sometimes your mind needs a rest. Once you've done your day's work towards achieving your goal, relax. Go on a nice walk, drink a cup of tea, catch up with a friend. Do something to recognize your own efforts towards achieving something you want.
Not only are these self-rewarding breaks enjoyable in of themselves, they have the curious effect of recharging your mental batteries. You'll feel energized and in a better position to resume working towards your goal. The reward feeds your self-esteem, and you learn that you don't have to be "perfect" to get things done-you simply get them done and enjoy some recreation or relaxation afterward.
If you make these three things habit, you'll find yourself and achieving goals in no time! Defeat perfectionism and fear of success with these strategies and your life will be richer for it.
About this Author
Read more new and insightful tips for overcoming fear of success, as well as fear of failure: Click Here.
Chris Benjamin is a freelance writer who specializes in various topics of interest, including self-improvement, open-mindedness and achievement. More of his work is available at: http://www.hubpages.com/profile/bennythewriter.
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