Do you always set the bar too high for yourself and others? Do you tend to be hard on people when they cannot live up to the unrealistic standards you set for them? Then the following article on the signs of perfectionism is for you!
You may not have a meticulously organized junk drawer or a closet full of clothes organized by color or sleeve length, but perfectionist traits may still be affecting your life—and holding you back. Can you relate to any of these habits?
9 Signs Of Perfectionism
Here are the signs of a perfectionist:
1. You Think In All-Or-Nothing Terms
Something is either right or wrong, good or bad, perfect or a disaster. You tend to think in one extreme or the other, rather than seeing the characteristics of people and situations existing along a continuum. For example, you tend to think, “She is mean,” instead of, “She can sometimes be mean.”
Related: The Perfectionist’s Trap: How Perfectionism Robs Us Of Our Humanity
2. You Think, And Then Act, In Extremes
Have you ever acted on a sentiment like this, more than once?: “I had one cookie and screwed up my diet…I might as well eat them all.”
3. You Can’t Trust Others To Do A Task Correctly, So You Rarely Delegate
Others may see you as a micro-manager or control freak, but you see your actions as just wanting to get the job done right.
4. You Have Demanding Standards For Yourself And Others
You believe in always giving your best and you expect others to do the same. And you are scared to death of looking like a failure.
5. You Have Trouble Completing A Project Because You Think There Is Always Something More You Can Do To Make It Better
You obsess about sharing your book, project, meal, invitation, business card, website, article, or speech with others. You want to make sure your work is the best it can be before revealing it.
Related: How Self-Compassion Can Fight Perfectionism
6. You Use The Word “Should” A Lot
“I should do this,” and “They should do that,” may be common phrases, both out loud and inside your head. You have certain “rules” you believe that you, and others, should follow. And when those rules aren’t followed, you are not pleased.
7. Your Self-Confidence Depends On What You Accomplish And How Others React To You
You strive for excellence and need validation from others to feel good about your accomplishments. What’s more, once you have achieved a goal, you quickly move on to the next one.
8. You Tend To Fixate On Something You Messed Up
You may have done something right, but still, focus instead on the one mistake you made.
9. You Procrastinate Or Avoid Situations Where You Think You Might Not Excel
It may seem counterintuitive, but many people who procrastinate or avoid doing something are actually perfectionists: They’re afraid they will fail. Their rationale is, “I might not be able to do it perfectly, so why bother at all?”
Related: How to Stop Perfectionism From Controlling Your Life
Do you know how perfectionism is affecting your life? Take the Better Than Perfect Quiz to find out!
For daily inspiration follow Dr. E on Instagram: DrELombardo https://www.instagram.com/drelombardo/
Written By Elizabeth Lombardo Originally Appeared In Elizabeth Lombardo
Could you relate to these 9 signs of perfectionism? If you have these signs of a perfectionist, you might want to be a little easy on yourself as well as on others.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you know if you are a perfectionist?
If you always want everything to be flawless and can identify with the above-mentioned signs of perfectionism, you might be one.
What are the traits of a perfectionist?
Nitpicking, not settling for anything less than excellent, and setting unrealistic high standards are some of the signs of a perfectionist.
Is perfectionism a mental illness?
No, it is not, however, perfectionism can be found as a common trait among people with several mental health disorders, including OCD.
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