July Well-being: Perfectionism
What is Perfectionism?
Perfectionism is a refusal to accept any standard short of perfect, regardless of the consequences that it takes to get there. Many mental health experts define this type of behaviour—having unrealistically high standards in at least one important area of life—as perfectionism.
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Perfectionism is often driven by striving for excellence, but it can be self-sabotaging if it leads to suboptimal behavior like continuing habits beyond their usefulness, overdelivering when you don’t have to, or overthinking every decision you make. According to Rebecca Knight of the Harvard Business Review, perfectionist tendencies are oftentimes rooted in fear and insecurity. At the core, perfectionism drives negative self-talk and encourages the endless pursuit of achievement, without enjoying the process.
How to Manage Perfectionism
1. Be honest about perfectionism. Accepting that flexibility is needed is very important when outlining expectations, both in what we expect from others and from ourselves.
2. Reflect from past mistakes and learn from them.
3. Adjust the messages with self compassion. Self-compassion entails being warm and understanding toward ourselves when we suffer, fail, or feel inadequate, rather than ignoring our pain or flagellating ourselves with self-criticism.
4. Get feedback and on what is expected.
5. Learn to set realistic goals. Aim to set goals that are specific, measurable, and linked to specific actions on your part.
6. Give yourself credit!
Telus Health, Understanding and Managing Perfectionism
Havard Business Review, How to Manage Your Perfectionism
Want to learn more? We have more information and upcoming webinars to help! For more information, please visit our Employee Well-being webpage.
Workload Management
Human Resources Services is excited to announce the launch of a new website and learning opportunities dedicated to supporting employees and leaders in effectively managing workloads and promoting psychological health and safety in the workplace. At McMaster University, we understand the significance of maintaining a balanced workload to support well-being and optimize productivity.
Our new website is designed to provide a wealth of resources, tools, and guidance on workload management strategies. Whether you’re an employee seeking practical tips to manage your tasks or a leader looking to create a supportive work environment, our website has something valuable for everyone.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Expert Advice and Insights: Access a comprehensive library of articles, learning opportunities, and expert insights on various aspects of psychological health and safety and workload management.
- Practical Tools and Resources: Explore a range of practical tools and resources to help you effectively manage your workload. From prioritization techniques and time management templates to goal-setting frameworks and culture matrices, our website offers actionable resources to enhance your well-being.
- Learning Opportunities: Discover our new learning sessions aimed at developing essential skills for workload management. These programs will equip you with the knowledge and strategies needed to navigate challenging workloads, enhance your resilience, and thrive in your professional journey.
The Working Mind
Human Resource Services, in collaboration with McMaster’s Okanagan Committee, is pleased to be launching The Working Mind mental health training for faculty, staff and leaders. This training directly supports our shared purpose of promoting and contributing to a healthy and safe community at McMaster University.
The Working Mind is an evidence-based training program designed to promote mental health and reduce stigma around mental illness in the workplace by initiating a shift in the way you think, act, and feel about mental health. The training offers practical knowledge and skills to address mental health and mental illness in the workplace. Three core modules offer the same foundational content to both employee and people leader participants and an additional module focuses on helping leaders support their teams’ mental health.
Sessions are being offered for people leaders and employees. To learn more about the program and register for an upcoming course, please visit https://hr.mcmaster.ca/twm.
Upcoming Learning Opportunities
Understanding & Overcoming Perfectionsim
July 25, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
As humans it is perfectly natural to want to be successful at what we do; a good employee, a good family member, a good friend. However, this can lead to holding ourselves to exceptionally high standards, which, at some times, can have very negative impacts on our psychological well-being. This 45-minute Zoom session will dive into perfectionism, what it looks like, and how you can go easy on yourself.
Learn more about this program
Tech Tools to Support Workload Management
August 9, 2023, from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Join our partners from University Technology Services to learn about the apps, features, and processes that can help you and your colleagues save time, stay organized, and work more productively.
Learn more about this program
Cultivating Psychological Safety to Improve Workload Management
August 10, 2023, from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
We invite you to join a conversation with some of McMaster’s Human Resources team members to learn more about creating an environment where you and your team can have open conversations about critical aspects of your day to day work. This is a one-hour session hosted on Zoom for leaders to discuss Psychological Safety in the workplace, which is transforming leadership and team dynamics in organizations globally.
Learn more about this program
The Working Mind Mental Health Training for People Leaders
August 22 -23, 2023, from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
The Working Mind (TMW) is an evidence-based training, developed to initiate a shift in the way you think, act, and feel about mental health. It was designed to provide practical knowledge and skills to address mental health and mental illness in the workplace. It is intended for people leaders who manage and support teams.
Three Core Modules offer foundational content focusing on increasing self-awareness and taking care of your own mental health. The Leader Module offers leadership-specific content and focuses on helping leaders support their teams’ mental health.
Workload Management Strategies for Employees
August 22, 2023, from 10 am. – 11 a.m.
There is always more work than can be accomplished in a day. A psychologically healthy and safe work environment allows you to do your job with the least amount of stress about work left to do.
In this one-hour session facilitated on Zoom by Christine Costa, we’ll discuss positive workload management and what it looks and sounds like. We’ll explore potential workload stressors and practical strategies that you can implement to reduce their affect, including how to have honest and clear conversations about your capacity and your needs.
Learn more about this program
Cultivating Psychological Safety to Improve Workload Management
August 29, 2023, from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
We invite you to join a conversation with some of McMaster’s Human Resources team members to learn more about creating an environment where you and your team can have open conversations about critical aspects of your day to day work. This is a one-hour session hosted on Zoom for leaders to discuss Psychological Safety in the workplace, which is transforming leadership and team dynamics in organizations globally.
Learn more about this program
Workload Management Strategies for Employees
August 30, 2023, from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
There is always more work than can be accomplished in a day. A psychologically healthy and safe work environment allows you to do your job with the least amount of stress about work left to do.
In this one-hour session facilitated on Zoom by Christine Costa, we’ll discuss positive workload management and what it looks and sounds like. We’ll explore potential workload stressors and practical strategies that you can implement to reduce their affect, including how to have honest and clear conversations about your capacity and your needs.
Learn more about this program
The Working Mind Mental Health Training for People Leaders
September 13-14, 2023, from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
The Working Mind (TMW) is an evidence-based training, developed to initiate a shift in the way you think, act, and feel about mental health. It was designed to provide practical knowledge and skills to address mental health and mental illness in the workplace. It is intended for people leaders who manage and support teams.
Three Core Modules offer foundational content focusing on increasing self-awareness and taking care of your own mental health. The Leader Module offers leadership-specific content and focuses on helping leaders support their teams’ mental health.
The Working Mind Mental Health Training for Employees
September 20, 2023, from 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Working Mind (TMW) is an evidence-based training, developed to initiate a shift in the way you think, act, and feel about mental health. It was designed to provide practical knowledge and skills to address mental health and mental illness in the workplace. It is intended for employees who do not manage other employees.
Three Core Modules offer foundational content focusing on increasing self-awareness and taking care of your own mental health. An additional Leader Module is offered in the People Leader course that offers specific content focusing on helping leaders support the mental health of their team members.
Employee Well-being, Employee Well-being Newsletter