Counseling tips for Doctors around perfectionism and self criticism

In counseling, it’s very common for us to see folks with these 3 traits. I see this amongst our profession as well. 

1 Have “unrelenting standards” aka perfectionism

2 Self critical and self punitive

3 Fear of failure

This is of course a perfect “storm” for stress. We have such high standards that we cannot reach, then we self criticise.  Then we avoid failures and hence, cannot achieve. It’s a vicious cycle. 

If we can change self critical into self reflection/self compassion, along with defusing/changing our beliefs around failures, then we may NOT have to lower our standards and succeed. 

It may need to start with us first, and model that for our patients perhaps.