Triple Threat: Perfectionism-Anxiety-Procrastination

This is a pattern I’ve seen quite often in my high-achieving, women clients.

It is exhausting. And you can change it.

Behaviors and thoughts that reflect this pattern might look like:

• “I can’t do this project perfectly, so I should wait until I have enough time.” (There’s never enough time). Worry for days about the impending project then pull an all-nighter to get it done the day it’s due. Then beat one’s self up about the quality of the work.
• “I will end up obsessing over drafts of this paper, so I should wait until I’m up against a deadline to limit how much time I have to obsess about whether it’s good enough.”
• “The last time I had a presentation, someone gave me negative feedback. I beat myself up about it for days. That won’t happen again. I will work harder this time.” Then work for hours and hours, with negative, racing thoughts: “Why are you such an idiot; why is this so hard for you; why aren’t you better at this, etc.” Avoid doing the work to avoid hearing these inner thoughts.

This suffering often happens in silence.

To change this dynamic, it takes:

• Cultivating your inner confidence, inner knowing, and self-compassion;
• Coming into a different relationship with your inner critic;
• Understanding the mindsets that undergird this pattern;
• Confronting the fear that failure will result if this pattern loosens;
• Practicing incremental shifts that disrupt these patterns.

I’ve walked myself through this as well as numerous clients. Are you ready to change this pattern in favor of a more life-giving inner world? Imagine how that would change your day-to-day life.

Rebecca Arnold, Executive & Leadership Coaching for High Achievers. www.rootcoachingconsulting.com

P.S. If you’re ready for something different, book at complimentary coaching appointment here.