The first week of the new year is such a great week. It holds such possibility. Us high-performers love our lists. We have a list of actions, experiences, ways of being we want to embrace this year. Great! What we may not have realized is that this very week we will have a great opportunity to dance with our inner critic, particularly if we have an inner perfectionistic flair. No doubt at some point this week we will fail to live up to our new year resolutions.
And it’s okay.
Creating habits, new ways of being, and taking consistent action, is a non-linear process. We don’t just flip a switch. We practice. We practice being consistent with our commitments. Owning when we have not met our commitments. And then letting those around us know what they can count us for in the future.
So how to deal with that perfectionistic inner critic this upcoming week?
- Being aware we have these perfectionistic tendencies is an excellent starting point. Just noticing when perfectionism shows up. “Ah! Yes, here is my perfectionism.”
- Responding to ourselves with understanding and kindness. We want to lean into self-talk that is compassionate and understanding.
- Challenge any negative self-talk. Asking ourselves, “Is this thought true? Is it really, really true?”
- Befriend the idea of “It’s good enough.” Looking at the big picture, the long game, allows us to get a different perspective.
- Being clear about what actually is being asked of us. Did anyone ask you to write a book? Or were you just asked to present a few slides?
We are human beings. Making a mistake is not a character flaw, it’s part of the human experience.
