When working to overcome perfectionism, it’s important to remember that nobody is perfect – and that includes you. There will be days when you struggle to meet your goals, and that’s completely normal. What matters most is your ongoing commitment to change and your willingness to keep practising the strategies you’ve learned (e.g. thought challenging and creating stepladders). Over time, these tools will help loosen the grip that maladaptive perfectionism may have on your life.
Stay focused on your “why”
Maintaining change becomes easier when you regularly remind yourself why you’re making these changes in the first place. Revisit your previous exercises such as your Thought Challenging Exercises or Self-Esteem Pie Chart, to reconnect with your motivation and recognise how far you’ve come.
Creating a list of your personal achievements and positive life changes can also be a powerful way to interrupt black-and-white thinking and reinforce a more balanced, realistic self-view.
For example:
Small wins matter. And progress, not perfection is the goal.
