1.  Go on a Pinterest diet

Pinterest hides the messy imperfections and shows you the absolute best.  Don't compare everything you plan and prepare for your classroom with what you see on Pinterest.  Living a Pinterest life or having a Pinterest classroom isn't possible 100% of the time.

2.  Remember that done is better than perfect

Perfection is the enemy of progress.  How often have you failed to complete something because it wasn't going to be your definition of "perfect"?  Finish that classroom project, and then step back and admire the GREAT things about it!

3.  Focus on making progress instead of achieving perfection

Perfection is unreachable, and striving for perfection will only lead to disappointment.  Progress IS achievable. Make peace with imperfection while still striving for improvement.

4.  Love the moment

Once a day, stand in your classroom and look around.  For 30 seconds just take it all in.  Look for the good and wonderful things about teaching, your students, and your opportunity to have a positive influence. Ignore the torn bulletin board, the messy stacks of papers, the unfinished grading, and the lesson plans waiting to be completed.  Name 3 things you love about that moment in time.

I love the way Brene Brown talks about perfectionism.  She says, “Perfectionism is the belief that if we live perfect, look perfect and act perfect, we can minimize or avoid the pain of blame, judgment and shame.”  Watch this video of her discussion with Oprah about perfectionism.

How do you avoid the trap of perfectionism?

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