We would like perfection. All of us. Execute every movement as we imagined, or simply get where we want the way we want.
But there is a moment when perfectionism becomes toxic. It ceases to be a will to improve and becomes the pursuit of an impossible reality, which does not consider the different factors involved. This pursuit is never satisfactory because even if the goals are achieved, we tend to be dissatisfied with the result.
Seeking perfection leads us to avoid challenges because of the fear of failure, to have a rigid thinking and lack of creativity in the search for solutions in our projects.
Perfectionists believe that what they do has no value until it is perfect. So, instead of being happy with the progress and learning, they are constantly comparing it with their expectations and their ideas of perfection.
How to recognize perfectionism in climbing.
-You don’t climb a route until you are completely sure that you can do it. Always considering your limits and your own safety, we should give up the perfectionist attitude and try projects even when we know that our probability of failure is high. It is closely related to procrastination, delaying our experience in a new route or level until we are completely sure, which will significantly slow the process.
-You consider the result as the most important, leaving aside the process and learning. You focus on reaching the top, on overcoming a difficult step, on how it will feel to have achieved it. However, you would climb better (and enjoy more) if you put your attention on every step you make, on the movements you are learning or on the surprises that the wall gives you from time to time.
-You are not satisfied with an action until it is perfect (according to your idea). Sometimes, we get stuck in a movement because we want to perform it as we have it in our mind. We think that if it is not done in this way, it is not well done, or the achievement is not real.
-You take too much time to complete a task that normally shouldn’t take as much. You try to visualize the whole route before climbing, you want to execute all the movements in the perfect way, or consuming the minimum energy, you go back to the ground every time something does not go as you want…
These are just a few examples of how perfectionism may be affecting your way of climbing, and your whole life. Now, I would like to propose some actions you can take to attack your perfectionism and free yourself from this weight during your climb (and, therefore, in your life.)
Overcoming perfectionism in (and by) climbing
-Recognize your perfectionism. Observe yourself and recognize when you have issues meeting your high standards or when you refuse to try something because you don’t consider yourself prepared.
-Recalibrate your standards. Your goals and how you get them, or when you can consider them achieved. Remember, better done than perfect. You better try. If there is a project you want to work on it, don’t think about it anymore. Try it. If you can’t get it today, you’ll get it tomorrow. Appreciate every step you take in it and every lesson you get, enjoy the process. But go for it.
-Compare yourself only with yourself. In climbing, strive to level up, outdo yourself, not others.
-Create humanly possible standards. In line with the previous line, climb within your own limits. Stop thinking about the climbers you see in the videos.
-Change perfectionist thinking for a more realistic one. Be a little more indulgent with yourself if needed. “No one is perfect”, “I will do better tomorrow,” or “Everyone can have a bad day” can be some statements that help us have our feet on the ground.
-Perspective taking. Think about what your situation would look like from the outside or if there are other points of view. Think about what you would say to someone in your same situation. Surely you would be more understanding about that difficult step.
-Expose yourself to imperfection. Perfectionism is fear of making mistakes or failing. The most effective way to overcome fears is to expose yourself to them. If you are afraid of not getting it, of flying, or of not knowing how to make a movement, go for it, expose yourself to fail and experience the imperfection. You will see that it is not a big deal and that you can use it to improve.
– Overcome procrastination. Do it, even if it is not the perfect moment. Although perfection is still far. Start and see how you progress. Get into that project you are avoiding. Divide your goals into smaller goals and see yourself fulfilling them little by little. If you think you still can’t send, try to get to the third quickdraw, for instance. Try the route in top rope. Skip that difficult step if necessary and keep learning.
-Reward your effort. If you are making a conscious effort to overcome to overcome perfectionism, celebrate your achievements and reward them. Appreciate all the small steps you are taking and concede yourself small pleasures (in addition to the satisfaction you will already get just by doing it).