How to set standards that leave room for being human
Educational guide · Not clinically reviewed
We’ve all been there – staring at a half-finished project, feeling a knot of frustration tighten in our stomach because it didn’t meet our own impossibly high expectations. It’s easy to fall into the trap of demanding perfection, believing that anything less is a failure. But what if the problem wasn’t the work itself, but the standard we’d set for it?
This isn’t about lowering your ambitions or accepting mediocrity. It’s about recognizing that human beings are inherently imperfect. Setting standards that allow for this reality – standards that acknowledge the space for mistakes and the natural ebb and flow of effort – can help distinguish essential requirements from optional polish.
The Problem with Unyielding Standards
Think about a time you spent hours agonizing over a presentation, meticulously tweaking every detail, only to realize later that the core message was perfectly clear. The time invested felt wasted, the frustration lingered, and the experience left you feeling depleted. This happens when our standards aren’t grounded in reality, when they demand flawless execution without considering the human element.
Defining Essentials: Accuracy, Safety, Completeness
The first step in creating more manageable standards is to identify what truly must be accurate, safe, or complete. These are the non-negotiables – the things that, if compromised, would have significant consequences. Let's say you’re writing a report. Accuracy of data, ensuring the report adheres to established safety protocols, and completeness of the required sections are all essential. Write these requirements in observable terms. For instance, instead of ‘the report must be excellent,’ you might say ‘the report must include all data points from the last quarter and adhere to the company’s data privacy guidelines.’
Embracing the Optional: Time Limits and Priorities
Next, consciously decide what constitutes ‘optional polish.’ These are the elements that enhance the work, but aren’t absolutely critical to its success. Give these optional items a time limit – a reasonable amount of time – so they don’t consume the entire task. Perhaps you’ve drafted a blog post; adding a particularly witty anecdote might be desirable, but it’s not essential to the core message. Setting a 30-minute limit for this optional work can help you stay focused on the priorities.
- Identify the core objective of the task.
- Clearly define the ‘must-have’ elements.
- Allocate a specific time limit for optional enhancements.
Building a Repair Path: Accepting Imperfection
Finally, create a ‘repair path’ for mistakes. Knowing how to correct an error gives you a concrete procedure to follow if one is needed. If you realize a calculation in your report is incorrect, having a clear procedure for reviewing the data and making the necessary adjustments will make the process less daunting. This proactive approach shifts your focus from avoiding failure to learning from it. Remember, some work has strict safety requirements. Flexibility should not mean ignoring professional standards or necessary checks. Prioritize your well-being and seek support if distress is persistent, severe, or affects daily functioning.
Sources & further reading
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