Many of us celebrate perfectionism. After all, perfectionism enables us to meet the high standards we often set for ourselves, which can be inflicted from within, projected onto others, or absorbed by those around us.

Did you ever think that perfectionism could create problems?

In the Middle East, countries are undergoing rapid growth, striving not only to catch up with but surpass developed nations, there’s an unseen pressure to develop a skilled workforce, which fosters a culture that places high value on productivity and efficiency, driving the rising tide of perfectionism.

Despite a shift in generations about work-life balance, there have always been people trying (and failing) to meet expectations, which can be destructive, and perfectionism can make someone vulnerable to anxiety.

It’s a hidden epidemic. 

“When many people buy into a perfectionism mentality, it becomes the norm and the competition for perfect work increases. There may seem to be no end to what people can achieve and what people are willing to give in terms of time and energy,” says Michelle Estekantchi, a licensed psychologist at Thrive Wellbeing Centre.

In the Middle East, a large population of expats leave their families behind and come to the region to work. Coming to a new place and finding one’s way can be lonely; it can also leave a void in the meaningfulness of life that people attempt to fill by achieving new heights at their jobs. 

Experts say all these factors create a perfectionist mentality in the workplace, which can be useful—until it’s not. 

IMPACT ON MENTAL HEALTH

Hustle culture is widely prevalent in the region. People work longer hours, focus on career progression, and have a perfectionist mindset.

Perfectionism in the workplace can significantly impact an employee’s mental health and overall performance. Perfectionist employees often set unrealistically high standards for themselves, leading to chronic stress when those standards aren’t met and burnout when trying to achieve those standards. 

Signs that a perfectionist mentality harms an employee more than helping include constantly feeling drained or fatigued, having a sense of dread or anxiety about failing to meet expectations, reduced enthusiasm for work, and avoiding new challenges due to fear of failure.

Farrah Al Qassimi, Gallup Associate Principal, says perfectionism can also lead to decreased engagement and disengagement. “Perfectionist tendencies can lead to lower engagement because employees often focus on avoiding mistakes rather than building on their strengths or finding purpose in their work. They may fear criticism or punishment, leading them to become disengaged or perform only the minimum required.”

This can differ from generation to generation, with older generations (Boomers and Gen X) leaning more towards traditional values related to job security, loyalty to employers, and a focus on long-term stability. They value hierarchical structures and delivering results as a reflection of personal honor and duty.

The hustle culture has stayed with the younger generations (millennials and Gen Z), although they have emphasized work-life balance to work hard, play later mentality. 

BREAKING THE CYCLE

There is never enough for a perfectionist—the presentation is never practiced enough, and the research done is not enough. There will always be something left to do; there is always something left to prove to others and oneself.

The more one achieves, the more confident one becomes in their abilities. However, the opposite can be true. 

Estekantchi says that people who achieve great things can be fuelled by anxiety and the belief that they are not good enough, which leads them to overcompensate, often working till the point of burnout.

“Perfectionists’ deep feelings of lacking in some way can lead to low mood, low self-esteem, and often procrastination. Perfectionists can feel overwhelmed with the amount of work they would like to accomplish and the nagging feeling that they are not good enough, which can make people paralyzed in fear and leave them incapable of accomplishing any work at all,” she adds. 

This vicious cycle that they get trapped in can make perfectionists sometimes appear lazy and careless because they miss deadlines and don’t complete tasks when, in fact, the opposite is true; they care so much. “Procrastination feeds the thoughts of not being worthy, which leads to a lower mood and loss of motivation, and the cycle can spiral downward,” adds Estekantchi.

Instead of chasing perfection, workers can leverage what they do best, set realistic goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound, and embrace a growth mindset. 

Najat Abdelhadi, LinkedIn Career Expert MENA, suggests ways perfectionists can dial back on the toxic cycle. One way is to set up notification restrictions, such as placing the OOO stating working hours and putting away the laptop at the end of the work day.

Prioritizing self-care, regular exercise, proper nutrition, and sufficient sleep are also important. Learning to say no when required, practicing effective time management, and scheduling regular breaks are similarly crucial. 

POSITIVE PERFECTIONISM

Is there a positive way to be a perfectionist? 

Not all stress is bad stress. Stress can be a useful motivator when working and accomplishing goals. In the same way, working hard and wanting to do well is not bad, but it can become negative perfectionism when it escalates to a point that hinders us from reaching said goals.

Estekantchi says, “Many people, particularly high achievers, set high standards for themselves. It is often hard to remember that ‘your enough is enough.’ Society often tells us that we are valuable if we have money, beauty, strength, academic prowess, athleticism, a large network of friends, help from others, and family approval. All those things matter; however, we all have an inherent value. We all have a baseline of worth that we cannot descend below, no matter what conditions we meet or do not meet.

“While the rest of the world is telling you to set your goals, strive for the best, and push beyond your boundaries, do all that and remember that your enough is enough,” she adds.

In fact, studies show that people who base their value on internal factors show better mental health (lower rates of depression, anxiety, and disordered eating,) have better relationships, and higher levels of achievement.

“It’s about pushing yourself to do your best but being kind to yourself when things don’t go perfectly and always remembering that being human means imperfection,” says Al Qassimi. 

Life, after all, is imperfect.