Bulletin boards, lesson plans, classroom décor. Oh, my! As educators, we can easily become wrapped up in running the “perfect” classroom. None of us are strangers to perfectionism. We’re grading and rating students on their growth and achievements each day, so it's easy to fall into perfectionist thinking. Perfectionism isn't as good as some of us think it is; it's actually a double-edged sword. However, there are ways we can reduce perfectionism while maintaining excellence in our classrooms.
What is Perfectionism?
Perfectionism is the unattainably high standards held for themselves in regard to their performance and abilities. It’s considered an “emotional tendency” or response to the feeling of shame, blame, or criticism. It’s also a motivator to be more “perfect” at the next thing they do, though being perfect at something isn't realistic or attainable. Perfectionists are motivated by validation from others rather than satisfaction in themselves.
Why is it a Problem?
We are constantly surrounded by grades, evaluations, tests, and numbers that assign value. It’s no wonder that achievement is always at the forefront of our minds as educators. Perfectionist tendencies may seem like they help us meet goals and increase our achievement, but they can also create unhealthy habits and allow us to become too critical of ourselves. It stops us from being seen and valued for who we are. Research has shown that perfectionism can also contribute to anxiety and depression and could even become a factor in teacher burnout.
This is not just a problem for educators. Students can fall into the same trap, and we see it every day. But we can also be the first ones in our classrooms to set high standards for ourselves and our students without associating our worth with what others think of us.
Perfectionism V. Excellence
Perfectionism can never be achieved because a perfectionist will never feel that they are enough. It's a vicious cycle of shame and criticism that leads to stress, anxiety, and unrealistic expectations for ourselves, but we can still strive for excellence. Excellence is an internal drive toward commitment and greatness while perfectionism only seeks external validation. Striving requires a goal while perfectionism can never actually be achieved. The perfect educator doesn't exist, and more importantly, neither does a perfect human. The goal of excellence allows room for personal growth and help from others and avoids external validation. We can’t confuse excellence with perfectionism.
What Can We Do?
This leads us to ask ourselves what’s motivating us as educators. Is it our performance evaluations? Our classroom aesthetic? Or is it our students? A passion for learning and teaching? Continue reading below for a few tips on redirecting perfectionist tendencies and focusing on embracing excellence in our industry.
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