By Angela Tufvesson -
Striving for perfection at the expense of all else can increase the risk of mental health problems and lower your productivity.
The legal world is dominated by the pursuit of perfection. For many professionals, it’s the very definition of success. The trouble is that trying to live up to unrelenting high standards – and feeling disappointed when you fall short – can put you at risk of serious mental health conditions. And, at the very least, interfere with the successes you’re trying so hard to achieve.
Being too perfect
Setting sensible goals is productive and healthy, and it’s understandable to feel upset when you’re unable to meet your targets. But for some, perfectionism is taken to an extreme level and restricts their ability to function at work and at home. They set themselves unrealistic high standards and are overly critical of their efforts to achieve these objectives. This is what psychologists call ‘clinical perfectionism’.
