The PhD Knowledge Base

Perfectionism is a fallacy

Dr. Max Lempriere

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You are always going to get criticised, whether in your PhD or otherwise.

There will always be someone who is quick to point out where you are going wrong, irrespective of whether you asked them or not.

There will always be people who put you down and make you feel small.

This can really hurt. It can bruise your ego and leave a dent in your confidence.

But criticism stings only if you expect perfection from yourself, if you attach yourself to the idea that you are the kind of person who never makes mistakes.

Well you are the kind of person who makes mistakes. You’re human. We all get things wrong and we all make bad judgements, even when we try our best to get things right.

Detach yourself from the idea that you are flawless and perfect and instead embrace your imperfections and expect to get things wrong from time to time. That way, when the criticism comes – and it will, because the world can be a hostile place – you won’t find it so painful.

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