The pursuit of perfection is one many of us are stuck on. The problem is, it’s an unattainable pursuit as perfection is a mere construct of the mind.

Yet it isn’t one just your mind’s conjuring up on the daily.

It is one society at large perpetuates, and it’s an issue that has taken on a new form in recent years—and the impact it has on us is immense.

But why are we obsessed with perfection?

We are, after all, aware that it isn’t real.

Even when you speak to a so-called perfectionist, they’ll likely agree that it isn’t something they can grasp in their hand. There is always growth. Always more to learn. To improve upon. And our definition of perfection is one that changes.

How we define it today will look different in the future…

So why are we so obsessed with the pursuit of perfection?

Well, I’m afraid that isn’t the question we should be asking—and it’s this focus on the wrong question that plays a huge role in the problem.

what is the pursuit of perfection?

The reason we’re obsessed with the pursuit of perfection is one that will become crystal clear VERY soon. It’s deeply embedded into our very being, but before we can (or should) explore the why, we first need to examine the what.

What is the pursuit of perfection? That is the question…

When we define perfection, we settle on … the action or process of improving something until it is faultless.

Yet ensuring something is faultless is as close to impossible as you can get, let alone when you involve an imperfect human being like you or me. The idea that we can somehow be perfect or live a perfect life or reach a state of perfection is ridiculous. Because how the hell can we ever reach a faultless state?

We cannot.

So that can’t be the pursuit of perfection.

Instead, we need to focus on SOCIETY and our role within it.

From the dawn of time, humans have placed systems of class into the act of living. It isn’t just a human thing, because many animals do this.

Once you create a class system like this, you develop a desire to progress. You can start at the bottom and technically work your way up. There is something to pursue, and as often is the case, we humans have taken this to the extreme.

Almost every aspect of society centers around such meritocracy.

School. Work. Class. Power. Religion. Everything!

For almost everyone, there’s a so-called path to follow. And, if you follow it and work hard and commit and do what’s necessary… you can climb to the top.

Now this in and of itself is a ridiculous notion, as we’ll come to next.

But at least technically, you *can* reach the top.

Anyone can.

And so cliches like “the pursuit of happiness” … “the American dream” … “work/life balance” … “work hard, play hard” … “the hustle” have become embedded into our lives. This is what the pursuit of perfection is.

It isn’t about perfection at all. It’s just another cliche designed to keep us busy and occupied (and distracted) so we keep our eye on the so-called prize and don’t think too much. This suits us as individuals because this world is far too hectic for our liking so if we can distract ourselves and not think, we feel better.

It makes us feel safe, in a weird way… as though someone’s out there looking after us; that our lives aren’t in our hands at all; if we mess up or fail, it isn’t our fault.

So all perfection is, is an illusion—and it’s one that’s gotten out of control recently.

why the pursuit of perfection has become so toxic

The first thing to focus on here is that we aren’t all on a level playing field.

Privilege is a real thing, as is inequality.

Sure, technically, those at the bottom can rise to the top. And some do. Some are outliers. Yet just because you have exceptions to the rule doesn’t rid the rule.

So this notion that anyone can reach the promised land so long as they work hard, are ambitious, are smart, and tick all the boxes … it’s insanity.

Some people are given more chances and opportunities than others.

That is the reality we live in, and that has basically always been the case.

Yet this isn’t the only reason the pursuit of perfection plays such a toxic role in your life. Because we happen to live in a strange period of time that’s taken this notion of “perfection” to daunting new levels.

For sure, this modern world is a wonderful one.

We are, for the most part, safer than ever and have access to true abundance. We are connected to anyone and everyone, and it’s opened up a world of opportunities that past generations couldn’t have fathomed. Yet we are also connected to anyone and everyone, and so the temptation to Compare US with THEM is high.

And that’s where the true toxic nature of perfection comes into play.

the pursuit of perfection in a social media world

There’s a lot of addiction in this world, but arguably the most damaging is our reliance on social media (and the online world in general).

This is many of us, most days…

Again, there is a lot of good in social media and the online world. I, for one, wouldn’t be able to share words like these with you otherwise.

At least not as easily or effectively.

Yet our access to anyone and everyone at all times leads us to peek into the lives of anyone and everyone throughout the day. Every day. 

Not just celebrities, like it used to be.

Oh no, today anyone can be a celeb. They can take a picture or shoot a video or write some words and form an edited snippet of so-called perfection.

And you, on the other end… you see this and only this!

So, you compare you with them. Maybe you come to the conclusion they are better than you. Healthier. More attractive. More successful.

And so you slip into the default setting of working harder. Because if you work hard enough and want it enough, you can progress. You can grow. You can reach the top and join them. Because the pursuit of perfection is real… right?

Oh, yeah, that’s right… it isn’t real or attainable, is it?

And the playing field isn’t level.

And not everyone can make it to the top…

But, at least for a while, you were distracted. And that is the issue, my friend because that has become “life” for so many … a continuous cycle of feeling inadequate and worthless and distracting ourselves with a word-hard and hustle-harder mentality to just get through the day.

That is the pursuit of perfection, and that is the toxic impact it has on you.

how to escape the pursuit of perfection

It doesn’t have to be that way.

The Hustle is here and it’s here to stay. If anything, its relentless grip will only get tighter in the coming years as society continues to bring us closer together.

As such, the temptation to commit to the pursuit of perfection will remain.

It will likely grow.

Yet there is a way to navigate it, and the first step is to realize it isn’t real.

This is not a level playing field. We don’t all have access to the same resources or opportunities. Not everyone who works hard will reach the top. It’s important to accept this because doing so allows you to let go … it sets you free.

It gives you the freedom to commit to you!

Not perfection. Not happiness. Not success or the hustle!

YOU

Once you reach this point, you can take steps two and three…

Step Two is to fill and refill your cup each day. To reflect and be more introspective. To explore you and your mind and bit-by-bit hone in on what you want to do.

How YOU wish to live YOUR life.

In time, this leads you to Step Three … self-love and self-acceptance.

Because all you can ever be is yourself. You can never be anyone else, and each moment you spend comparing you to them, you take time away from being you.

The real you. The truest version of yourself.

And this, my friend, is the closest any of us can get to perfection.

This is, of course, easier said than done because we know what we know and so much of that has been deeply embedded in our being from “all that” which goes on around us—and has been doing so for as long as we’ve been breathing.

And the online world will only bring us more into the online world, and social media and technology will only bring us closer together. So the temptation will remain and you will falter. All you can do is be conscious about this as best as you can.

… as often as you can.

That starts with gaining a new perspective on the pursuit of perfection (and all those other cliches), which I hope this article has given you; at least, in part.

The step beyond that is to commit to YOU and YOUR pursuit, whatever that looks like. All this brings you closer to acceptance and love, which is all any of us can ever truly hope for. 

Give yourself this gift, you’ll no longer need perfection.

hi, i’m turndog and I wrote this article … i am a writer, ghostwriter, anti-hustler & a guy on a mission to ensure you too escape the hustle — come be part of the [no hustle] movement

hi, i’m turndog and I wrote this article … i am a writer, ghostwriter, anti-hustler & a guy on a mission to ensure you too escape the hustle — come be part of the [no hustle] movement