Letting Go of Perfectionism: The Key to Creative Growth
Let’s talk about something that doesn’t get enough space in professional conversations: perfectionism.
Not the kind that helps you double-check your work or push through a tough deadline—but the kind that keeps you staring at a blank screen for hours because nothing feels “good enough.” The kind that talks you out of sharing your idea in the meeting. The kind that says, "You’ll be ready... just not yet."
I’ve been there. And if you’re honest with yourself, you probably have too.
We Think Perfectionism Helps Us Succeed. But It Mostly Just Drains Us.
Perfectionism wears a nice mask. It shows up as ambition. Drive. High standards. We tell ourselves it’s what makes us better.
But behind that mask is something a little heavier: fear. Fear of judgment. Fear of failure. Fear that if we don’t get it just right, we’re not enough.
And it doesn’t just affect our output—it affects our confidence, our relationships, our willingness to try new things. It keeps us playing small while pretending we’re aiming high.
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve second-guessed myself out of sharing something that could’ve made a difference, just because it wasn’t perfect.
Sound familiar?
The Science of Perfectionism (Yes, It's Real)
This isn’t just a personality quirk. It’s real, it’s measurable, and it’s increasingly common—especially in high-pressure work environments.
According to a study published in Psychological Bulletin, perfectionism among young people has increased by 33% since 1989. Social comparison, workplace competition, and the rise of “curated success” on platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram all play a role.
And here’s the impact:
Perfectionists are more likely to suffer from anxiety, burnout, and depression
It’s a top contributor to creative paralysis and team dysfunction
It’s linked to lower innovation and risk-taking in the workplace
Let that sink in: Perfectionism doesn’t make us more productive. It makes us more stuck.
The Creativity Myth We Need to Unlearn
There’s a myth that creativity is about brilliance—that some people are just “gifted,” that great ideas come out polished and ready to pitch.
But here’s what I’ve learned: creativity is messy, iterative, and sometimes straight-up ugly in its early stages. It’s more about courage than talent.
And perfectionism? It kills that process before it even starts.
You don’t get to “great” by being flawless—you get there by being in motion.
I once heard someone say: “You can’t edit a blank page.” That stuck with me. Because so many of us are sitting in silence, not because we don’t have anything to say, but because we’re scared of how it might come out.
The Power of Letting Go (A Personal Shift)
I used to spend hours rewriting emails. I’d rehearse presentations like a Broadway audition. I’d delete social posts seconds after publishing them because I wasn’t sure they hit the right tone.
It was draining.
What helped me begin to let go wasn’t just burnout—it was the realization that nobody was holding me to the impossible standard I was holding myself to.
People didn’t need perfect. They needed honest. Clear. Human. They needed me to show up, not just to show polish.
That’s when things shifted. Not overnight—but gradually.
Now, I give myself permission to:
Hit send on the imperfect draft
Speak up even when I’m unsure
Share ideas before they’re fully baked
Trust that done is often better than perfect
It’s still a work in progress. But I’m getting better at showing up with heart instead of hesitation.
Why This Matters at Work (Not Just in Therapy)
In the workplace, perfectionism hides in all kinds of places:
The colleague who never speaks up in meetings
The manager who over-edits everyone’s work
The team that delays launches indefinitely, waiting for the “right moment”
The employee who never asks for help, afraid it looks like weakness
And the cost is high. Teams slow down. Innovation stalls. Morale drops. And brilliant people start quietly checking out—mentally and emotionally—because they’re too tired to keep pretending.
But workplaces that actively deprogram perfectionism? That value experimentation, progress, iteration, people over polish?
Those are the teams where creativity thrives. Where risks are taken. Where new ideas breathe. Where growth actually happens.
One of the most powerful things a leader can say is: “Let’s try it, even if it’s not perfect.”
It opens the door for trust. For initiative. For momentum.
3 Practical Shifts That Can Break the Perfection Trap
If you’re ready to start letting go (and helping your team do the same), here are a few mindset shifts that have helped me:
1. Progress is a win, even if it’s small.
Instead of aiming for flawless, aim for forward. Ask: Did I move this forward today? That’s enough.
2. Imperfect work is often more relatable.
Think about the content, messages, or leaders that have moved you—they probably weren’t perfect. They were real.
3. Create a “first draft” culture.
In meetings, ask for early thoughts. Reward effort, not just outcomes. Make it okay to bring messy ideas to the table. That’s where collaboration starts.
Final Thought: Your Voice Matters More Than Your Edits
If you’ve been waiting until you’re “ready” or until it’s “better,” let this be your sign: share it anyway. Try it anyway. Raise your hand anyway.
Because creativity doesn’t require perfection, it requires presence.
You don’t need to be perfect to be powerful. You just need to be willing.
I’d love to hear from you: Where does perfectionism show up in your work? What helps you push through it? Let’s make space for a more honest conversation—about how we grow, how we create, and how we give ourselves grace in the process.
We’re ready to serve you!
Ricardo Molina
RM Leadership Academy