Self-demand: Advantages and disadvantages

Self-demand is one of the most outstanding qualities of a leader since it is a constant impulse to be better and better. However, as we all know, everything in excess is wrong.

When someone puts this quality into practice excessively and obsessively, it can seriously harm the person who practices it and all those around them. For this reason, in this article, you will learn the advantages and disadvantages of self requirement to regulate your self-demand level the right way.

What is self-demand?

In the personal sphere, self-demand is the effort a person imposes on themself to be better in their performance. It is the search for improvement in all critical activities.

In the business field, self-demand is a key to meeting the objectives set by the company. The self-demand of a leader for themself and their employees reflects in the quality of the work they deliver.

In short, self-demand is the pursuit of excellence.

When does self-demand become a defect?

Self-demand makes us push ourselves to the point of being dissatisfied with anything we have achieved. This keeps us from feeling good about little successes, and we fall apart in the long run. In addition, self-demand leads us to be more impatient and have very high expectations.

When we hope and desire results do not come, we are most likely to get discouraged. Thus, we are more likely to quit and feel frustrated. Abandoning self-demand can help us achieve our goals without getting frustrated.

Being one of the excessively demanding people can lead to many problems in your mental health.

How to detect the first signs of high self-demand:

• Perfectionism

The vast majority of over-demanding people also suffer from the double side of perfectionism. Being self-demanding means setting expectations too high. Having unrealistic goals will make you think you are unworthy.

• You don’t allow yourself to make mistakes.

Frequently, demanding people deny themselves the possibility of not making mistakes. So much so that by pushing themselves too hard, they procrastinate most tasks or goals out of fear of failure or error.

• Self-critical

Indeed, if you are a demanding person, self-criticism is continuous in your day-to-day life. So much so that the mind and this harmful speech will disturb every aspect of your life.

• Set goals based on the expectations of others

There are many cases in which over-demand comes from the hand of trying to please others. Being this self-demanding (especially in aspects that may not motivate) can lead to depression.

• Try to please people.

Self-demand sometimes relates to the importance we give to what they think or say about us. So much, so that self-demanding people put other people’s needs before their own.

• Comparison

The overuse may be excessive. People who push themselves too hard will suffer from low self-esteem.

• Assume too much

Taking on too many tasks can be one of the significant signs that you are demanding too much of yourself. In addition, this overexertion leaves aside the breaks, relaxation, and leisure necessary to enjoy life.

• The constant need to have an achievement

People who push themselves too hard rely on their accomplishments or successes to feel valuable. In this way, they erroneously associate merit with self-esteem.

Demanding yourself too much has various consequences on your emotional health. People who suffer from excessive self-demand struggle with psychological pathologies such as depression, anxiety, and excess stress. It is vital to go to a mental health specialist in these cases.

How do leaders reflect self-demand?

A good leader finds the balance between demanding and granting their employees freedom and autonomy. Therefore, a leader’s demand toward their employees must be accompanied by kindness and negotiation ability.

Likewise, a leader’s demand is reasonable and acts accessible with the established times for the employees to fulfill the assigned work.

They must exemplify the employees’ demands with the self-demand of the leader since setting an example is a way to motivate employees. In this way, excellence in work performance must begin with the members of the highest hierarchy until it reaches those of the lowest level.

Thus, the requirement throughout the organization or company is reflected in the high expectations and goals that are constantly imposed on all company members.

The most important characteristics self-demanding leaders share

They relate being to doing. A self-demanding leader thinks that the actions they take determine who they are.

They seek their approval first and that of others second. A leader with this characteristic seeks to satisfy self-imposed needs and goals, which are usually more challenging than those imposed by others.

A self-demanding person seeks to fulfill tasks or achieve goals. They seek excellence. The self-demanding leader feels satisfied when they extraordinarily fulfill their purposes.

Identify your mistakes and work to improve them. Such a leader observes their errors and areas of opportunity, so they seek to improve these aspects of themselves as soon as possible.

It is essential to mention that self-demand must remain balanced since an unhealthy exigency is reached sometimes. For example, this is when standards are too high or inappropriate for personal circumstances. Excessive self-imposed excellence can cause emotional and personality disorders, so it is necessary to have the required care for oneself.

Setting lofty goals is excellent motivation, but it shouldn’t cause stress and anxiety.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of self-demand?

Advantages of self-demand

• High standards.

• High efficiency

• Polished result.

• Attention to detail.

• Fewer fixes.

• Taking on challenges.

• Perfectionists are great at organizing.

• Excellent for detecting errors.

Disadvantages of self-demand

Studies have also found that self-demanding people have higher stress, exhaustion, and anxiety levels. So while certain aspects of self-enforcement can be beneficial in the workplace, perfectionist tendencies can also clearly affect employees.

Conclusion

Now that you know the advantages and disadvantages of self-demand, you can balance your behavior to ensure better performance and optimal mental health.