By: Tara Kong, MA, LPC-Associate

Ever feel the pressure to have it all together?  Many people feel immense pressure when trying to juggle their personal, professional and social lives.  Life pulls us in so many different directions all at once that it can be hard to manage.  While we all want to do our best, there can be times when wanting to be perfect can have a negative effect on our mental health.  Not only do we feel like we need to be perfect, but we also feel the pressure to be perfect.  This is often due to not wanting to disappoint other people in our lives.  A recent study done showed that the biggest areas that people feel pressure are being a parent, being attractive, and meeting family expectations.  It can often feel like it’s never enough or there are not enough hours in the day to complete all the tasks that need to be accomplished.  Perfectionism means everything requires more effort and more work.  This can lead to stress and burnout as well as feeling a constant state of guilt. Typically, something has got to give.  It is impossible to be perfect in every area of life.  We are humans after all and not mechanical robots.  

Have a Less Than “Perfect” Approach

Part of reducing stress and relieving the pressure in our lives is to get comfortable with making mistakes at times.  Learn to welcome the opportunity to learn from past mistakes.  Also set certain boundaries that you are comfortable with in order to improve your mental health and happiness.  An example could be that you do not respond to work emails after 7:00pm.  Don’t allow yourself to overanalyze things you’ve said or written.  Take that time and use to do something you enjoy or spend time with people you love.  

Don’t Procrastinate

Many people can struggle with indecision and can feel overwhelmed by wondering what their next step should be.  This can lead to overthinking and anxiety.  Set a time limit for yourself and then act quickly.  This will allow you to move forward and causes there to be less time for worry about making a right or wrong decision.  

Define Expectations

We often set extremely high standards for ourselves that can be unrealistic.  This is often based on what we think others expect of us.  Instead of following a set of standards you have set for yourself, make your goals achievable by including other people in the process.  This could be done by sitting down with your spouse to discuss how the housework will be done and what level of cleanliness they are expecting.  Communicate with your boss and co-workers so you can be on the same page and have a clear understanding of what other people are going to expect from you.  This will allow you to be successful instead of guessing or assuming you know another person’s expectations of you.  

Another Viewpoint 

If you feel you care constantly disappointed, try and challenge yourself to look at it from another perspective.  Perfectionists often have a limited view, so it is important to look at the situation from another angle.  For example, if someone else had done this, would you see it as a failure?  

Do What’s Possible

 Trying to be perfect all the time can easily take a toll on you and how you manage stress. It’s not easy to change how you think, behave, or view situations and other people’s actions that are based on high expectations of achievement. Do what you can with what you have and know that taking small steps can lead to more success. Be kind to yourself and willing to forgive yourself when you are less than perfect. Make sure you aim for realistic and achievable goals. This will give you more confidence and resilience in your daily life.

Begin Counseling at Our Center in Katy, TX!

If you are ready to take control of your life and relive some of life's pressures, one of the therapists at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch can help! To begin counseling in Katy Texas, follow these three steps:

1. Contact our office to set up an appointment or to get more information on therapy for children. 
2. Meet with one of our understanding therapists
3. Find other ways to help your child gain confidence with therapy today!

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Here at The Counseling Center at Cinco Ranch, we offer counseling services for people of all ages in areas including counseling for kids, counseling for young adults, teen counseling, couples counseling, eating disorder treatment, men’s issues, women’s issues, anxiety treatment, depression therapy, trauma counseling, family therapy, and group counseling. We provide helpful information on a variety of mental health topics. Our therapists strive to post blogs regularly. To learn more about our therapists and counseling services, please reach out to the Counseling Center today!