The Pressure to Be Perfect
Do you ever feel like you have to be perfect all the time? Like no matter how hard you try, it’s never good enough?
You’re not alone
When I was younger, I constantly felt compared to other kids—my parents’ friends’ kids, my cousins (since I didn’t have siblings), and even my teammates when I was in a basketball league. I would see friends on social media constantly post beautiful pictures of their girlfriends, family, experiences, and accomplishments.
I would think to myself, "How am I ever going to be able to show others that I’m on the same level, because I’m not?"
Even when I was doing better than others, I never heard, "Good job." My parents never praised me in front of others. And when that happens enough, you start to feel like you’re not good enough—no matter what you do. Even when you do get the girlfriend, the experiences, the accomplishments, you start doubting yourself like, how long is this going to last?
But here’s the truth: The idea of perfection is an unattainable illusion created to make you fail. The people who make you feel imperfect are those who suffer the most from impostor syndrome.
Some of the biggest companies in the world were started by people who dropped out of school or barely scraped by with C’s. Some of the most self-conscious people in the world post perfectly photo-shopped pictures of themselves to seek approval from others.
I finished high school with a low 3.0 GPA and college with a 2.5. And guess what? I turned out fine.
I worked on being a likable person, with high character.
Every job I got after college was through people who liked me—I never had to hunt for a job or work.
"A pleasing personality is one of the most valuable assets anyone can possess. It is the foundation of all successful human relationships. It opens doors and creates opportunities which nothing else can duplicate."
-Napolean Hill
And beyond that, I’ve always believed in something greater than myself and my parents. There’s someone watching over me, telling me it’s going to be okay—and it’s not my parents.
So if you’re feeling the pressure, take a breath. You are enough. Every person’s journey is different. Every snowflake is unique, and so are you. Don’t let self-doubt eat away at your confidence.
Have faith—not just in yourself, but in something bigger than you and your parents’ expectations.
You’ve got this.
