Perfectionism - a barrier to performance

Perfection does not exist; it hinders performance and over time suffocates performance. Are you experiencing the same? Has your performance plateaued?

# Context

Perfectionism is widely considered as an extremely desirable trait in our modern society. We are constantly bombarded with messages that we need to be the best at everything we do, get straight A’s in school, be the best employee in the office, have the perfect relationship, and the list goes on. However, when it comes to sports and performance, being a perfectionist can actually have negative effects on an individual’s ability to perform at their best.

Perfectionism can be defined as setting impossible standards for oneself and striving to achieve those standards at all costs. It is a mindset that focuses heavily on flaws and mistakes and can often cause undue stress and anxiety for the individual experiencing it - overtime depleting our resources.

In sports, this can be particularly detrimental to athletes, as the pressure to perform at the highest level often creates a difficult balancing act between the pressure to perform well and the fear of making mistakes.

# The pitfalls

When perfectionism is present in an athlete, it can cause them to experience performance anxiety, which can ultimately suffocate their ability to perform. The athlete may become so consumed with the fear of making a mistake that they become paralyzed with anxiety and are unable to perform at their best. This can lead to a decrease in confidence and a sense of failure, ultimately leading to decreased performance and reduced enjoyment in the sport. This robs them of the core essence of being in the present, therefore unable to be in flow state.

Altitude Sports Performance, a coaching and training academy in Colorado, has found that many athletes who suffer from perfectionism also experience a great deal of stress and anxiety when it comes to recovery and rehabilitation. These athletes are so focused on their performance and achieving their goals that they often push themselves past their limits and become susceptible to injury and burnout.

Perfectionism can also cause athletes to become overly critical of themselves and others, negatively impacting team dynamics and potentially leading to decreased team performance. When a team is expected to perform at an extremely high level, the pressure to do so can create a toxic environment filled with tension and anxiety. This can lead to a lack of trust and communication among team members, ultimately leading to decreased performance and a less cohesive team overall.

One of the main ways that perfectionism suffocates performance is by causing athletes to become too focused on the outcome of their performance, rather than the process of getting there. When an athlete is overly focused on the end result, they can become discouraged when things don’t go as planned or when they don’t perform at the level they were hoping for. This can lead to a decrease in motivation and ultimately negatively impact their performance in the long run.

Another way that perfectionism can negatively impact an athlete’s performance is by causing them to become overly obsessed with success. When an athlete is heavily focused on being the best at their sport, they can become overly competitive and may sacrifice their well-being and overall health in pursuit of success. This can lead to burnout, injury, and overall decreased performance, as the athlete may become so focused on their success that they neglect other important areas of their life like rest and recovery.

# The way to work through it

When it comes to sports and performance, it is important to find a balance between striving for excellence and avoiding the pitfalls of perfectionism. While it is important to set goals and work hard to achieve them, it is equally important to recognize that failure is perceived & is a natural part of the learning process and that it can be valuable learning opportunities.

The key to avoiding perfectionism in sports is to focus on the process of learning and growing, rather than being solely focused on the outcome. This means focusing on things like setting goals, creating a useful mindset, and finding constructive ways to deal with setbacks.

One way to help combat perfectionism in sports is through the use of the art of objectivity; based on the question "why did this happen". You see, most people ask that question, however, follow it up with "what does this mean about me" - that is a slippery slope as they are now making the performance mean something about them. This breeds negativity and robs them of objectivity. Art of objectivity focuses on the now by bringing in a non-judgmental view to the table, therefore helping athletes put the performance in perspective and move away from a perfectionistic mindset.

Another way to combat perfectionism is through the use of self-talk. Remember though, it only works if you have an expert at the art of objectivity. Athletes who are overly critical of themselves can benefit from becoming more aware of the language they use when talking to themselves. The words rooted in language are not descriptive, they are creative i.e. they create reality. This means replacing negative, self-defeating thoughts with affirmations and encouragement. By practicing this, athletes can increase their confidence and overall performance.

# Conclusion

Overall, perfectionism can be detrimental to an athlete’s performance in sports by creating undue stress, anxiety, and fear of failure. By recognizing the dangers of perfectionism and finding ways to combat it, athletes can learn to focus on the process of learning and growing, rather than solely on the outcome. By doing so, they can increase their confidence, their ability to perform at their best, and ultimately enjoy their sport and their performance to the fullest. Are you hampered by perfectionism; how do you work with it?

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