How Perfectionists Can Learn to Delegate

Some people don’t think of perfectionism as a bad thing. But that’s typically because they think perfectionism means having high expectations and always striving for perfection. 

In reality, perfectionism is often based on unrealistic expectations and demanding perfection — from yourself and others. Perfectionism is often a trauma response that should be processed to understand how it serves and hinders you.

Obviously, no one is perfect. While there’s nothing wrong with holding yourself to a high standard, expecting to do “perfect” can lead to issues like stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout. 

Thankfully, there are plenty of ways you can fight back against perfectionism, especially in the workplace. One of the most effective ways is to delegate things to others. But, as a perfectionist, that might sound easier said than done. 

So, how can you learn to delegate and take some of the weight off your shoulders?

Work from the Top Down

Trying to delegate multiple tasks at once can feel overwhelming, and you might talk yourself out of doing it. Focus on taking baby steps. You don’t need to “give away” everything at once. 

One of the easiest ways to start taking steps is to look at the tasks that you would either rather not do or ones that take up a lot of your time. Delegate those to people first. You’ll free up your time to focus on other things, which can improve your productivity and the quality of your work. 

Focus on Other People’s Strengths

When you’re thinking about delegating certain tasks or jobs, it can make things easier if you feel like there’s a purpose behind each role. Who on your team has specific skills that could be applied to some of your tasks? 

When you focus on other people’s strengths or who can handle a challenge, delegating certain tasks will become easier. You might even feel a sense of pride as you had off certain things to those who are excited to take them on. It will help to build trust, it will improve overall communication, and it can even make you more approachable. 

Work as a Team

Maybe you’ve spent so long taking on everything by yourself that you aren’t sure where your teammates are skilled or what their interests are. Open up a conversation about it. Have regular meetings with the people you work with and discuss strengths and weaknesses. See who is ready to tackle certain projects, and who shows the most passion. 

When you know someone is excited about a task, you might feel more comfortable giving it to them, understanding it’s in good hands. 

Plus, communication, in general, will help to keep you from isolating yourself and doing everything on your own. The more you put yourself out there in a team environment, the easier it will become to let go of things. 

Get to the Bottom of Your Perfectionism

Delegating is just one step on the journey of fighting back against perfectionism. Again, there’s nothing wrong with doing your best or having high expectations. But, when those expectations become unrealistic, they will impact your quality of life. 

Perfectionism can cause anxiety, and depression, and practically destroy your self-esteem. Thankfully, you don’t have to get to the bottom of it on your own. 

Perfectionism often stems from a fear of judgment from others. It can start in childhood, if you had parents with extremely high expectations. Getting to the underlying cause(s) of your perfectionism is important. It serves as a platform for you to not only feel more comfortable delegating, but more comfortable taking down your unrealistic expectations for a life that’s more manageable and meaningful. 

Delegating tasks to others is a great place to start. But, don’t let it be the only way you’re fighting back against perfection. Feel free to contact me for more information or to set up an appointment soon for anxiety therapy.