Do you spend hours planning and preparing for lessons? Do you make sure every detail of every lesson is just right? Do you have high expectations for yourself and your students, some that may even be unrealistic? Are you hard on yourself? Sound all too familiar? Hand raised? Me, oh me, that’s me!! I WAS that perfectionist teacher. Oh yeah, I was, especially in my early career. I would teach all day and bring home bags of schoolwork each and every day with curriculum manuals, plan books, resources, and more. Teachers would see me leaving the building shaking their heads knowing that I was not only a new teacher, but I was a perfectionist. I would work, plan, and prepare my lessons for the week in all elementary subject areas until 10:00 p.m. every night, with only stopping to eat dinner. I’d plan lessons, projects, parent letters, observations, create assessments, and more. In my mind, a teacher’s job was never done. There was always something to do, something to do over and something to do better. It was this mindset that put me on the road to teacher burnout and I realized that this perfectionism thing that I had going on was partly the cause of it and something had to give.
Now there are some perfectionist traits that I believe are positive. In fact, there are many traits of being a perfectionist that make me into the highly motivated and passionate educator that I am today. Many of my perfectionist tendencies are channeled into producing creative ideas, excellent instruction, and useful resources. Other times my perfectionism was consuming too much of my time, depleting my energy while adding little value. So how do you find that balance? That balance where you do what you love with passion and purpose, but you don’t allow your perfectionist mindset to take over?
Put It Into Perspective
Is there really such thing as anything being “perfect?” Isn’t the idea of perfect all about how someone perceives it to be depending on their expectations? Something can continuously be improved and worked on to become what you perceive as perfect. What you may think is perfect may not be perfect to others and what others think is perfect may not be perfect for you. It’s all about your mindset. To me practice really doesn’t make perfect, it makes better. So I began changing my mindset starting with the way I looked at things.
I asked myself questions like what is a priority and what really matters? I learned that I had to change the way I was doing things too. Did I have to do things, in the same manner, all the time? Was it effective both in delivery and in time management? Does everything single thing need to be done with such intricate detail? Was I comparing my work to others? I realized that some lessons needed more TLC and planning than others. Some were more student-driven, some were more teacher-driven and some were a combination of both. I learned to let go of the reigns. I do not have to be in control of every lesson so I handed my students the reigns which led to more spontaneous teaching and learning experiences, more teachable moments and fascinating discoveries, questions, and explorations. Now that’s what really matters!
If you like the perspective quote posters you see in this post, you can check them out here. These are perfect for a healthy mindset and keeping what really matters in perspective. Perfect for the home, the office, or the classroom.
Know Your Limitations
Elementary teachers teach ALL subjects and much more. So to plan for 5 full days takes a significant amount of time outside of the school day. So I had to set some realistic limitations to plan well and work smarter. Before planning I would ask myself, what matters most in teaching this content/lesson/standard? How much time should be invested?
Could I plan this lesson in 1 hour or less compared to several hours and still deliver the same killer lesson? YES!
Could I incorporate technology into the lesson to be as resourceful as possible? YES!
Could I plan with a colleague? YES!
Sidenote tip: Sometimes planning with a colleague is helpful and sometimes it isn’t. If you mesh really well with a colleague and work as a team that balances each other out to plan effectively and efficiently, then that’s great. But if you find that your colleague is just as much as a perfectionist as you are or worse, then the planning together may be more challenging than you think, especially if your colleagues change their minds several times after finalizing plans. (That drove me crazy!!)
Ask for Help
I know it is difficult for a perfectionist to ask for help from others in fear that the person asked will not live up to the perfectionist’s expectations or that it will cause more work. In fact, I used to say that I’d rather do it myself instead of teaching someone else how I wanted it done. Back to the control piece…It’s okay to let go of the reigns. You don’t have to be in control of every aspect of the classroom. It feels so good when you let go. There is just too much to do with not enough time. Think to yourself, how can I work smarter? Who can help me with this? What can I delegate to others? Use your resources wisely.
Can I get a guest speaker to speak to this topic? A parent volunteer or someone from the community that has an area of expertise? YES!
Do I have to plan everything including class field trips and celebrations? There’s copying and laminating and cutting and putting up bulletin board displays and the list goes on and on. Could a parent volunteer do this? YES!
Could each member of the grade level team divi up responsibilities and tasks so that each teacher doesn’t have to do them all? YES!
Could students take on responsibilities and tasks in the classroom to lighten the classroom load? YES!
I learned that it’s okay to ask for help and to accept help from others.
Drop The Perfectionist Mindset
When I was spending too much time planning or creating resources for a lesson, I learned that taking a brain break is the best thing. I often came head-on with a brick wall when I was tired, couldn’t think straight, and couldn’t move forward. I found that when I said, “This is the best I could do for now, but it’s OKAY that it is not finished YET!” was a healthy way for me to take a break. I’d take a deep breath and get a good night’s sleep. The next day I was rejuvenated and ready to go and I was able to finish what I was doing with a fresh mindset. I love the word “yet.” It allows for possibility and growth, allowing me to be satisfied with coming back to my work when I was ready, hours, days, weeks, months later, or …never. 😉 Teachers need to remember to nurture their growth mindset too. We, like our students, are learners and are continually growing. Being a perfectionist often stunts the whole idea of growth so it’s time to drop that perfectionist mindset altogether.
After practicing what I preach I took this quiz, Are you a Perfectionist? And I am proud to say that these are my results…
You are a high achiever. You strive toward perfection, but you have a healthy understanding of what is and isn’t possible, and you’re able to enjoy the journey without getting overly hung up on the results. Good for you! You may find the resources below of interest in case any perfectionist tendencies begin to creep in or to help the perfectionists in your life learn to relax and accept themselves (Are You a Perfectionist, www.verywell.com).
Woohoo! I’m a high achiever!! I’ll take it! Take this quiz and see where you rank. If you find that you are in that perfectionist rut, try changing your mindset with these tips. You’ll be on your way to being a more balanced and healthy teacher. And remember being perfect and doing things perfectly isn’t what matters. Doing what you love with passion and purpose within reason does.
Are you a perfectionist? Or do you know or work with any? How do you change your perfectionist mindset? After taking the quiz, leave your results in the comments.
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Christine Weis is a passionate educator, classroom management coach, wife, and mom of two busy boys. She enjoys teaching, writing, and creating resources for teachers.
I can 100% relate. Still learning how to get rid of it!
I still struggle with it from time to time but have learned to talk to someone that could help change my perspective. Saying, “this is all I can do for now or for today, and the rest can wait until tomorrow” helps me to feel like I could come back to it if needed. I make lots of lists too…that helps me cross out what I’ve done and have yet to do. I feel organized and prepared. Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
Oh man! I need to be reminded of this often!! I tend toward perfectionism, which can cause some anxiety and really elevated stress levels. It’s good to remember why we teach, and what students will remember 10 years from now.
YES! Me too! I sometimes fall back into that perfectionist pit and have to climb my way out. But it really is all about your perspective and mindset. Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
Thanks for sharing this. I think we all beat ourselves up for not being perfect all the time.
For sure! It’s time to get our perspectives straight! We could still do what we love with passion and purpose, but in a healthy, balanced way! Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
I totally have a hard time delegating when it comes to certain tasks because I am somewhat demanding when it comes to my baking. I have certain ways of doing things and can get a bit grumpy if things aren’t done my way, lol. So even though you’re speaking in terms of teaching, it also applies to a lot of other professions as well. Great points 👏🏼👏🏼💕
I hear ya! I’m the same way! We are so hard on ourselves when we are passionate about what we do. Perfectionism definitely applies to ALL people and professions. We can all relate and connect about this topic. Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
I have a few teacher friends and they are totally perfectionist teachers
Oh I bet!! Please share this with them then! 🙂 Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
I used to homeschool and I had to overcome my perfectionist nature. You bring some great ideas up about how to overcome this
I bet! I have to work on that as well at home with my little ones. I have to take a step back every now and put things back into perspective. Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
I wish my teachers had this knowledge … school days would have been so different. You give some good suggestions.
❥ tanvii.com
Thank you! I appreciate you reading! 🙂
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
I’m not a teacher, but I am a perfectionist. I get very frustrated when things are out of my control and when I make mistakes. But I also have passion and heart for doing what I do. But your post helped me to put my perfectionistic mindset in perspective.
Passion, purpose and heart is what it is all about and sometimes that passion drives us toward our perfectionist ways. Keeping things in perspective definitely does help. Keep doing what you love! Thank you for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
I am by no means a perfectionist, but being able to convince myself something is good the way it is and that there is room for improvement is good enough for me. Otherwise, I will never get anything done! Being a mum to a little boy, I don’t want to put too much pressure on him to only be happy with perfection. It just doesn’t seem realistic.
I like your realistic outlook! I’m always working on that kind of perspective, which is healthy and balanced. Practice makes better I tell my students, as well as to my own son. Thanks for sharing your insight!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
This has been a lesson I have yet to learn, to be honest! It comes in waves, however. I HAVE learned to let go of the perfect planbook and spend more of my time prepping resources and making sure I am prepared.
This article has helped! ….I accept that I am a perfectionist, and it is OK not to meet every expectation. Next year is a new year, each year gets better. I can only do my best one lesson or DAY at a time!
Oh my dear…I know you are a perfectionist! You sure do have an eye for detail and that’s a positive thing. I think preparation is key but rearing off like you say to have fun and to meet students interests and needs is also important. I think you can and will meet all expectations without being a perfectionist. You got this!! We are passionate teachers and sometimes that results in perfectionism. Thanks for always reading and for sharing your experiences and insight. xo
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
It’s hard not to be a perfectionist but teaching has taught me it just ain’t happening! Thankfully, I’m only 5 years in and I’ve already learned this lesson … I think (haha).
That’s a great way to think about. Teaching is spontaneous! Teachers need to be planned but can deviate from the plans based on their student needs and interests. Admins need to understand this more and let teachers do their “thing.” I think this would reduce some pressure. Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
I have always heard that it is better to get going than wait for perfection – it doesn’t exist. As a recovering type A – I am always practicing surrender and at the art of imperfection. Thanks for raising awareness fo the importance of this. Woo-hoo to high achievers everywhere. Maybe surrender to the moment and be perfect with what is.
I completely agree! Nothing is perfect! I’m type A too which goes along with the perfectionist territory I guess. I love what you say about surrendering to the moment. For me being a high achiever is my idea of “perfect.” Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
Being a perfectionist is tough. In some cases it can cause a real issue, and I can understand how it would be hard in the classroom. You’ve got some good suggestions here for fellow perfectionists!
Thank you!! These suggestions and strategies certainly do help. I try to remain balanced and keep things in perspective! Thanks for reading!
Christine at For The Love of Teachers
I’m not a teacher but I definitely do struggle with being a perfectionist. In some ways it has benefitted my life as I am a competitive dancer, but in others it has resorted in dealing with anxiety and the many effects of stress that come with wanting earthing perfect. I have to agree with your tips, I’ve implemented this mainframe and it has helped a lot with maintaining a balance.
I hear you! Being a perfectionist definitely has its pros and cons. I struggle with anxiety because of it too. It’s all about perspective and balance. Thanks for reading and for sharing your experiences.
Christine at For The Love of Teachers