My good friend, William T. Hendricks, Jr., MD, says he helps perfectionists give up their punishing pursuits by telling them: 
You have to learn to perfect your tolerance for imperfection.

In other words, “Learn to put up with your imperfections in such a way that you become perfect at accepting your mistakes and flaws.”

There are several ways perfectionists can tolerate their mistakes. 
Make a statement that demands that you be perfect. Ask yourself these questions about that statement: 

• Who specifically told you that?
• What makes you think that?
• Where did you learn that?
• When did you learn that?
• How do you know?
• Are your feelings based on facts?
• Will your thinking help protect your life and health?
• Will your thoughts help you avoid conflicts with others?
• Will your thinking help you feel the emotions you want to feel?