Why Perfectionism and Burnout Go Hand In Hand

Although perfectionism is taken as an important virtue in almost every workplace, it is a self imposed pressure to perform any task impeccably, but the resultant is inevitable burnout. Though regarded by many as way to success, you should not use perfection to measure success. The following are some of the major reasons why perfectionism and burnout go hand in hand.

Perfectionism is a personality trait that encompasses unattainable personal standards and self-criticism that is extremely harsh. According to psychologists, the effects of perfectionism are fascinating, and it has turned out to be a common trait, and with no doubt, you know someone with the trait. For example, your co-worker who is filled with fear of making mistakes, a teammate who is highly criticizing himself/herself due to poor performance or even a school child who is worried of meeting any deadline related to school activities. All these examples give a clear definition of a perfectionist.

A recent research indicates that perfectionism and burnout are closely linked. Burnout is simply a syndrome related to chronic stress. Burnout is manifested as unusual fatigue, low performance in any task and finally detachment.

Funny enough, persons with self-conscious minds and feelings that are essential to perfectionism have moderate to large burnout levels. However, the relationship is stronger in work environment as opposed to sport and school. Some of the reasons making it stronger in work settings are — most jobs are focused on performance only, and poor performance leads to redundancy. Due to such pressure, perfectionism takes place, which in return triggers stress instead of motivating the workers. The triggered stress causes fear of failure, which is basic in linking perfectionism and burnout.

Entrapping Of Employees at Work

Entrapping of employees at work can also result to perfectionism, and finally burnout. Such cases are common during hard economic times, when changing careers is almost too impossible. The inability of you as an employee to move out of a stressful working environment, where you no longer enjoy, might lead to burnout if you are a perfectionist.

In order to break the relationship between perfectionism and burnout, you should keep in mind that perfectionism is a highly destructive trait, which you should try and manage the effects. In most cases, perfectionists feel are self-conscious, and are full of fear, hence seeing themselves as impostors.

Also, organizations should not use perfection as a criterion of defining success. They should define successful employees using diligence, perseverance and flexibility. Failure should also be rewarded in order to break any anxiety that is inhibiting performance. In return, innovation productivity as well as staff well being will be improved.

In addition, the set goals should be lower than what perfectionists have set. It is important as perfectionists are also protected from themselves, in order to avoid workaholics or even burnout taking place.

Although the world is competitive, making it to be dominated by perfection pursuit, it is good to always remember that you can never attain perfection as a standard, but rather end up in misery.