The Truth About Perfectionism: 5 Signs You May Be Perfectionist

Do you value things that are perfect? Are you a perfectionist?
Read on to know the truth about perfectionism.

We live in a society that values things that appear perfect. And I suppose there are things that can be perfect. Architects can draw the perfect straight line, mathematicians can solve an equation with a perfect calculation, and a chocolate cake can be perfectly moist.

But as human beings, we can never reach a state of perfection because we will always be a work in progress. Perfection indicates a finality – a finished product – but we as humans are always growing and changing.

What Is Perfectionism?

Many people view perfectionism as a positive attribute. They believe the more “perfect” they are, the more successful they will have in life.

Perfectionism is NOT the same thing as always doing your best. It is important that we always do our best. By doing so, we can experience healthy achievements and growth. But perfectionism takes this concept to the extreme.

People with perfectionist tendencies often have self-defeating thoughts and/or behaviors that actually make it HARDER to achieve their goals. Perfectionism also can make the individual feel stress, anxiety, and depression.

People Who Are More Perfectionist

Also read Narcissism Driven By Insecurity: 16 Signs To Watch Out For

Signs To Look For

Most human beings, from time to time, will strive for perfectionism in some aspect of their life. As an example, that “perfectly moist chocolate cake” I mentioned earlier got that way because the person who baked it was trying to get everything JUST RIGHT as a gift for someone’s birthday.

But there are those people who are “full-time” perfectionists. They strive for perfection in all aspects of their life.

  1. Here are some signs you may be a perfectionist:

1. You don’t like to attempt tasks or activities unless you feel you can complete them perfectly.

2. You are end-oriented, meaning you focus little on the process of creating or learning something and put all of the emphasis on the outcome.

3. You cannot see a task as having been completed unless it meets your perfectionist standards.

4. You tend to procrastinate because you don’t like starting a task until you know you can perfectly complete it.

5. You tend to take far longer completing tasks than others. This can be problematic at work.

Also read 5 Ways To Shift Your Mindset Towards More Optimism

Getting Help

Again, perfectionism is not the same thing as doing your best. It is a condition whereby the individual is almost incapable of feeling joy or pride at what they accomplish because in their own minds, they are never quite good enough.

If you believe you may have traits of perfectionism and it is causing you stress, there are things you can do to change your behavior so you can live a healthier and happier life.
If you’d like to explore treatment options, please reach out to me.

I am a recovering perfectionist

SOURCES:

  • https://cogbtherapy.com/cbt-blog/2014/7/9/stop-perfectionism-be-happy-with-good-enough
  • https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/issues/perfectionism/overcome
  • https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/issues/perfectionism

Written by: Jacqueline D. Pearce, LMHC
Originally appeared on: Pearcecounseling.com
Republished with permission 
The Truth About Perfectionism pin

Published On:

Last updated on:

Jacqueline D. Pearce, LMHC

My name is Jacqueline D. Pearce and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, School Counselor, and Doctoral Candidate (2020) with over 20 years of relative experience. I am looking forward to hearing from you, so we can begin our journey together.

Disclaimer: The informational content on The Minds Journal have been created and reviewed by qualified mental health professionals. They are intended solely for educational and self-awareness purposes and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing emotional distress or have concerns about your mental health, please seek help from a licensed mental health professional or healthcare provider.

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Do you value things that are perfect? Are you a perfectionist?
Read on to know the truth about perfectionism.

We live in a society that values things that appear perfect. And I suppose there are things that can be perfect. Architects can draw the perfect straight line, mathematicians can solve an equation with a perfect calculation, and a chocolate cake can be perfectly moist.

But as human beings, we can never reach a state of perfection because we will always be a work in progress. Perfection indicates a finality – a finished product – but we as humans are always growing and changing.

What Is Perfectionism?

Many people view perfectionism as a positive attribute. They believe the more “perfect” they are, the more successful they will have in life.

Perfectionism is NOT the same thing as always doing your best. It is important that we always do our best. By doing so, we can experience healthy achievements and growth. But perfectionism takes this concept to the extreme.

People with perfectionist tendencies often have self-defeating thoughts and/or behaviors that actually make it HARDER to achieve their goals. Perfectionism also can make the individual feel stress, anxiety, and depression.

People Who Are More Perfectionist

Also read Narcissism Driven By Insecurity: 16 Signs To Watch Out For

Signs To Look For

Most human beings, from time to time, will strive for perfectionism in some aspect of their life. As an example, that “perfectly moist chocolate cake” I mentioned earlier got that way because the person who baked it was trying to get everything JUST RIGHT as a gift for someone’s birthday.

But there are those people who are “full-time” perfectionists. They strive for perfection in all aspects of their life.

  1. Here are some signs you may be a perfectionist:

1. You don’t like to attempt tasks or activities unless you feel you can complete them perfectly.

2. You are end-oriented, meaning you focus little on the process of creating or learning something and put all of the emphasis on the outcome.

3. You cannot see a task as having been completed unless it meets your perfectionist standards.

4. You tend to procrastinate because you don’t like starting a task until you know you can perfectly complete it.

5. You tend to take far longer completing tasks than others. This can be problematic at work.

Also read 5 Ways To Shift Your Mindset Towards More Optimism

Getting Help

Again, perfectionism is not the same thing as doing your best. It is a condition whereby the individual is almost incapable of feeling joy or pride at what they accomplish because in their own minds, they are never quite good enough.

If you believe you may have traits of perfectionism and it is causing you stress, there are things you can do to change your behavior so you can live a healthier and happier life.
If you’d like to explore treatment options, please reach out to me.

I am a recovering perfectionist

SOURCES:

  • https://cogbtherapy.com/cbt-blog/2014/7/9/stop-perfectionism-be-happy-with-good-enough
  • https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/issues/perfectionism/overcome
  • https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/issues/perfectionism

Written by: Jacqueline D. Pearce, LMHC
Originally appeared on: Pearcecounseling.com
Republished with permission 
The Truth About Perfectionism pin

Published On:

Last updated on:

Jacqueline D. Pearce, LMHC

My name is Jacqueline D. Pearce and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, School Counselor, and Doctoral Candidate (2020) with over 20 years of relative experience. I am looking forward to hearing from you, so we can begin our journey together.

Leave a Comment

    Leave a Comment