WHY PERFECTIONISM IS OUR BIGGEST ROADBLOCK TO HEALTH AND NUTRITION GOALS
If you’re a perfectionist, chances are you’ve been told repeatedly that “perfect is the enemy of good”. The problem, though, is that the goal is still to be good. And if there’s anything I’ve learned from my perfectionist clients, it’s that good is never good enough.
May I recommend: giving yourself permission to half-ass things.
When we talk about pursuing consistency over perfection, what we really mean is that sometimes you simply aren’t going to be able to give what you consider to be your best effort. There will always be something that throws you a curveball: big life changes, crushing work stress, mental health issues, family emergencies, vacations, or anything that causes you to feel off-kilter and lacking full control.
Consistency doesn’t mean maintaining the same level of effort no matter what. It just means putting forward whatever effort you can. But sometimes, it’s hard to be really clear with yourself about what you can do instead of focusing on what you feel like you should be able to do. So just half-ass it.
Trying to be perfect in the pursuit of your goals probably isn’t feasible. And it definitely isn’t sustainable.
Sure, you may be able to hit all of your macro targets perfectly, get to bed on time, fit in five workouts, eat plenty of vegetables, and do a daily meditation for one week.
But what about those times when your schedule changes or your family is in town?
What about the times when you don’t have the ability to exert control from sunup to sundown?
HOW WE CAN COMBAT PERFECTIONISM
It seems like rather than simply taking a step back, those times when it isn’t feasible to be perfect usually cause some kind of a spiral. Whether that’s a weekend of eating or drinking too much, or starting a habit of negative self-talk because you can’t seem to get to the gym or get enough sleep, it’s usually unhelpful. To help combat the spiral, here are a few ways to start giving yourself permission to put in partial effort:
Acknowledge the things that you can’t put your full effort toward and lean on an easier alternative. Can’t find time to meal prep? That’s okay. Pre-cooked chicken and bagged salads are still food. So is takeout. Can’t fit in a full workout? That’s okay. A walk around the block is still intentional movement.
Remind yourself that taking a break is okay. If you can’t be moving full-speed toward your goals, it’s okay to focus on just not moving backward for a while. It may also give you the opportunity to rely on any habits you’ve been building. Whether that’s eating mindfully, prioritizing protein at each meal, drinking enough water, or going for a walk every day. Anything that has become a habit will help you cruise on autopilot.
Don’t worry about doing your best. Because you probably don’t even know how to judge what your best looks like in less-than-perfect circumstances. Allow yourself to say, “I don’t have to do my best, I just have to do something.”
It can be tough to let go of the urge to be perfect. But trying to be perfect is a great way to set yourself up for big setbacks. Instead: make imperfect effort. Half-ass it.
We are committed coaches who work with committed clients and love nothing more than helping our clients find a sustainable approach to nutrition that allows them to work towards their goals without white-knuckling their way through yo-yo diets. Learn more about our KLN team here!