BLOG_2018_10_18_Are You a Perfectionist
Are You a Perfectionist?
18 October 2018
Almost everyone pursues near perfection — doing the best job you can, setting goals, working hard to reach them, and maintaining high standards. But perfectionism isn’t about any of this. Perfectionism is a long, maddening drive down a never-ending road for flawlessness; it provides no rest stops for mistakes, personal limitations or the changing of minds. It can stop you from taking the necessary steps to reach your goals.
Even worse, perfectionism can cause feelings of anxiety, fear, and self-doubt; it can cripple self-esteem, stifle creativity, and put a stumbling block in the way of intimate friendships and business relationships. Ultimately, it can create or aggravate illnesses such as eating disorders, manic-depressive mood disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and substance abuse.
Everybody to some extent has some “built-in” perfectionism, especially in our achievement-oriented, competitive culture. Does perfectionism get in your way?
Complete this questionnaire to discover how much of a perfectionist you are.
- I never do anything halfway; it’s all or nothing for me – Every time.
- People who do things halfway make me angry or disgust me.
- I believe there’s a certain way to do things and should always be done that way.
- I get angry or defensive when I make mistakes. I hate to make them.
- I often procrastinate on starting projects. I seldom meet deadlines. Or if I do, I practically kill myself meeting them.
- I feel humiliated when things aren’t perfect.
- I don’t like to admit not knowing how to do something or being a beginner. If I can’t do something well, I won’t do it.
- People say I expect too much of myself. Or of them.
- In my family, I could never completely measure up to expectations.
- I’m hard on myself when I lose, even if it’s only a friendly game or contest.
- I often withdraw from others and from group activities.
- I don’t think work should be fun or pleasurable.
- Even when I accomplish something, I feel let down or empty.
- I criticize myself and others excessively.
- I like to be in control; if I can’t be in control then I won’t participate.
- No matter how much I have done, there’s always more I could do.
- I don’t delegate often and when I do, I always double-check to make sure the job is done right. It never is.
- I believe it is possible to do something perfectly and if I keep at it, I can do it perfectly.
- Forgetting and forgiving is not something I do easily or well.
CONCLUSION: The more boxes you have ticked, the higher the likelihood you are a perfectionist.
Keep in mind, there is a difference between excellence and perfection.
Striving to be really good is excellence; trying to be flawless is perfectionism.
If you’re concerned about your perfectionist behavior, don’t hesitate to drop me an email.
I may have some tips to help!
