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To The Overachieving Perfectionist

I know how you feel.

Sam Hiller

Feb 28, 2017

Wingate University

Huffington Post Canada

Oh, how I know how you feel. That constant battle with yourself, pushing and pushing to do better than humanly possible. I get laughed at when people ask me why I try so hard at everything. The moment I say I try so hard because I am a overachieving perfectionist they say, "Honey, you need to get over that. Nobody is perfect and never will be."

How? How do I get over a part of my personality that is now embedded in me? How do I just stop giving 110%? How do I stop feeling as though I can always do better, that I am never doing enough? Well, I am here to tell you.

Your best wasn't good enough

I hate that feeling. That feeling when you studied countless hours for a test where you knew all the material and you still failed (in your eyes). I am not saying that you didn't give your best. I believe that you gave it everything you had in you, but sometimes our best isn't good enough. Sometimes all that overachieving perfectionism didn't give us the A that we crave every day. It's ok if your best wasn't good enough this time... it will be next time or the next time. Don't stop striving.

Mistakes mean you are trying

The motto of my youth that came from the people closest to me. Honestly though, I hate making mistakes. Even little ones. In my eyes, they were totally preventable. I could've tried harder on that assignment or worked out a little longer. The truth is though, your friends and family are right. If you never make mistakes then you can never learn from them and never grow as a person. Value the mistakes, they will pay off in the long run.

Perfectionism isn't attainable

Nobody is perfect. You may come close to it, but God has that spot reserved for Him. However, overachieving is attainable. People may mock you for always going above and beyond for assignments or projects, but if it makes the perfectionist in you happy then go for it. The idea that everything has to be perfect will only hurt you in the end. Now is the time to become aware that not everything will go perfectly 100% of the time. Remember that. Use that to you advantage to grow when the 2% doesn't go according to plan.

Sincerely,

An overachieving perfectionist who is trying to listen to her own advice.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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To The Overachieving Perfectionist

I know how you feel.

Your best wasn't good enough

Mistakes mean you are trying

Perfectionism isn't attainable

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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