You know the feeling: The event is going well, the room is full, people are smiling — but all you can think about is the crooked tablecloth. If you’ve ever stayed late fixing something no one else would notice or felt your insides churn over a typo only you caught, you know how perfectionism can quietly hijack even your biggest win.

Shannon DuPree, NC State’s director of wellness, knows that feeling well. Overseeing campuswide wellness initiatives and signature events, including Moonlight Howl and Run, she once carried the classic high-performer mindset: If you want it done right, do it yourself.

“I was once a person who wanted everything to be perfect,” DuPree said. “I had to fix everything, micromanage every little detail, redo everything.”

Over time, her mindset evolved. She said she now considers herself a hybrid planner — holding high standards but leaving “space for the gray.” For DuPree, plans are guides rather than rigid scripts, and minor hiccups don’t register as failures if key goals are met. 

 “True excellence allows space for
human error.”

Build the Framework, Then Let Go

In practice, that means setting clear expectations up front, then handing over ownership. “It’s delegating appropriately, giving people specific instructions but also giving them space,” she said. “Within that framework, team members execute in a way that’s comfortable for them.”

That mindset has reshaped post-event reflections. Instead of rehashing small mistakes, her team reviews attendee survey data tied directly to event goals. This keeps feedback objective and prevents self-critical spirals. As DuPree notes, “True excellence allows space for human error. We catch those mistakes, make corrections and keep going.” 

The result: a team that can catch real mistakes without being consumed by ones they imagine.

4 Ways To Interrupt the Perfectionism Spiral

When the pull toward perfectionism surfaces, DuPree recommends four practices to keep momentum strong:

1. Reconnect with the actual goal. Before fixating on a detail, ask yourself whether it serves the outcome you’re actually trying to achieve.
2. Build in a reset signal. DuPree’s team uses a simple check-in — “let’s reset, let’s make sure we’re on the same page” — to interrupt spiraling before it derails momentum.
3. Let feedback come from the people you serve, not just your own head. Structuring reflection around participant data, not internal second-guessing, keeps critique productive.
4. Give people permission to step away. Even during her busiest events, DuPree tells her team this: Take care of yourself first. The framework will hold.

Support for Persistent Burnout

Burnout that lingers beyond a tough week or two is a signal, not a personal failing. NC State has free resources to help:

1. Faculty and Staff Assistance Program: Free 24/7 access to counselors and guidance specialists at 866-467-0467
2. ComPsych huddles: Virtual support groups on topics such as burnout prevention and resilience (Follow these instructions to access huddles.)
3. Employee wellness coaching: Personalized support to build balanced lifestyle habits
4. Mindfulness toolkit: Hub for stress reduction and relaxation (English | Español)

Finally, don’t underestimate the therapeutic effects of exercise. Kelly Vance, senior benefits and wellness program specialist at University Human Resources, points to activities such as yoga as a way for perfectionists to regulate stress and lower burnout risk. She also recommends practicing gratitude, which can prevent dwelling on the negative.

Explore on Your Own

The free LinkedIn Learning courses below offer effective strategies for cultivating healthy work habits and maintaining high performance. You must log in to the platform with your NC State email address to access the courses.

• Making Big Goals Achievable (19:40)
• Overcoming Perfectionism (52:15)