If you’ve ever thought, “I should be further along by now,” you’re not alone. Many of us pour so much energy into getting every detail just right that nothing ever sees the light of day. Drafts pile up, waiting for some mythical perfect moment. But that moment rarely comes. Instead, stress builds, momentum stalls, and burnout creeps in.
Here’s the good news: you can break the cycle. A simple, mindful technique called EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) tapping can help you manage the stress and anxiety that come with perfectionism—in just a few minutes.
How to Interrupt Perfectionism with EFT Tapping
First, notice when you’re stalling. Maybe you’re hesitating to launch a project. Maybe you’re rewriting an email five times before hitting send. That’s the moment to pause and check in with yourself.
Before tapping, rate your anxiety around making it perfect on a scale from 0 to 10. You’ll check this number again after tapping to see your progress.
Use two or three fingertips to gently tap on these points while repeating simple phrases:
- Karate Chop (side of the hand): Acknowledge the struggle. “Even though I feel stuck in perfectionism, I accept how I feel.”
- Eyebrow Point (inner edge of the eyebrow): Name the tension. “This fear of not being perfect.”
- Side of the Eye (next to the outer corner of your eye): Address the worry. “I’m afraid of messing up.”
- Under the Eye (below your pupil): Get honest. “I over-research everything and never finish.”
- Under the Nose (above the upper lip): Identify the feeling. “This makes me anxious and stuck.”
- Chin (below the lower lip): Offer acceptance. “I see this perfectionism—and I choose to move forward anyway.”
- Collarbone (below the hard knobs at the front of your collarbones): Reassure yourself. “I can handle what comes next, even if it’s not perfect.”
- Under the Arm (about four inches below the armpit): Affirm a new mindset. “I allow myself to try, even if it’s not 100% right.”
- Top of the Head (crown area): Close the loop. “I trust I can learn as I go.”
Let It Be Imperfect and Keep Moving
Repeat a few tapping rounds, adjusting the words to match what resonates most. If your anxiety drops from a 7 to a 3—or even to 0—you’re making progress.
After tapping, take one action you’ve been avoiding. Send the email. Publish the blog post. Finish the outline. By tapping first, you calm the perfectionism jitters and make it easier to move from overthinking to doing.
Each time you take an imperfect step forward, recognize it. Perfectionism hates action, but action is the only thing that moves you forward. EFT tapping can help quiet the self-doubt and build momentum.
Try it today. Spend five minutes tapping on any perfectionist stress you’re feeling, then take one concrete step before the hesitation creeps back in. Embrace the messy first drafts, the incomplete outlines, and the rough sketches. Once you’re in motion, you’ll feel more energized than stuck.
Stop waiting for perfect. Just start.
Perfectionism can also drain your energy and contribute to burnout. Learn how to reset in The 90-Second Reset.
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