Top 10 Signs That You Are A Perfectionist!
When we think ‘Perfectionist’ the first thing we associate it with is ‘high achievers’. However, the fact is, that is far from the truth. A Perfectionist need not be a high achiever. It is just someone who sincerely holds an underlying belief that perfection can be achieved and that it should be attained for everything!
Personally, I’m quite the perfectionist, always setting the highest standards for myself and never expecting anything less. In fact, if you are reading this article, and you’re wondering whether or not you’re a perfectionist, there’s a good chance you are one, at least to a degree, especially if you were drawn to this article because of the word “perfectionist” in the title!
If you are still unsure, then go ahead and read the Top 10 signs that prove you are a Perfectionist!
- It’s either All or it’s Nothing!
Perfectionists have an ‘It’s all or it’s nothing’ approach. If the situation does not allow them to achieve the standard they laid out, they will abandon the task because it does not make sense to spend time on something that they are not going to conquer.
- The Procrastination Game!
As a Perfectionist, you are terrified of failure. So you procrastinate until the very last minute on most things. Most likely, you are convinced that failure is likely because you really aren’t very smart.
- Always Eager to Please!
Nothing thrills a Perfectionist more than impressing others with their performance. This attitude makes them eager to please impress everyone with everything they do!
- The Critical Eye!
A Perfectionist often prides themselves for their critical eye that few seem to escape but it also makes them highly discriminating, therefore rejecting in others what they can’t accept in themselves!
- A Very High Bar!
Perfectionists, like high achievers, tend to set themselves high goals, and they work hard to achieve them. Only problem is the high achievers are satisfied with doing a great job and achieving excellence, even if their very high goals aren’t completely met. Perfectionists will accept nothing less than, well, perfection. Anything less than perfection is well seen as failure!
- Everything is Personal!
Perfectionists tend to be less resilient than others because they take setbacks and criticisms personally. They would beat themselves up over the smallest thing that went wrong!
- Only the Goal Matters!
Perfectionists are bothered only about their goal – the end result! What they achieve in the process is not of concern to them, especially if the goal is yet to be achieved – which in most cases is!
- The Guilt Factor!
Perfectionists are often plagued by guilt and shame, because they harbor a feeling of pressure to succeed. It is often correlated with anxiety and sometimes even depression.
- Rating Always Matters!
Be it an assignment at school or a project at work, the rating given for their work always matters. The idea of being given an ‘Average’ rating gives them nightmares!
- The Outwardly Image!
Perfectionists are very conscious of any situation which might give others the perception that they are not perfect.
While healthy perfectionism looks at very high standards and aims for beauty, balance, justice, harmony and precision; unhealthy perfectionism looks like anxiety, paralysis and worthlessness when faced with a task where you’re not guaranteed success. It is important to distinguish between the two: The former, you learn to love; the latter, you work to heal.
What do you think? Do you enjoy or suffer from Perfectionism?
(Image Source – Google Images)
Rashmi P. Menon
A Single Mother with an unbreakable passion to Live the Life! I am a Writer/Author by passion and an IT Project Manager by profession. I am also the voice of Artemis at In The Pantheon - a multi-author collaborative writing project. When not hunting as Artemis, I am busy querying agents and working on my multiple writing projects. Women Empowerment and Child Rights Advocate.
40 Comments
Al The Author
This post strikes so many chords with me! I’m a perfectionist, but trying not to be… but that’s not exactly working out perfectly 🙂
MindandLifeMatters
Aha! So you were drawn to this article coz of the word ‘Perfectionist’ in the title? Yep, definitely a perfectionist! 😀
Al The Author
Yep!
Dr Meg Sorick
Now I’m going to go analyze each one of these things to death! 🙂
MindandLifeMatters
Classic sign of a perfectionist! 😉
Dr Meg Sorick
That’s what I was afraid of!
jansenphoto
That was a perfect analysis…or was it? 🙂 Clearly, I am not a perfectionist, because I don’t procrastinate for fear of failure, but rather because I know I can do each task in less than 20 minutes 🙂
MindandLifeMatters
Ohh lucky you! I am a big time procrastinator and perfectionist – not a good combination!
jansenphoto
Yeah, I can relate 🙂
Kristina Van Hoose
Yesx10. I’m trying to shake off the perfection. I set high standards for myself and know that they are impossible… For anyone but me. I’m starting to acknowledge that they aren’t realistic for me too though.
High five!
MindandLifeMatters
Ohh I know how that feels! I’m trying to shake off the unhealthy part of my perfectionism, hopefully I will be able to shake it off! 🙂
Kristina Van Hoose
Hopefully!
ranu802
I don’t like failure, I don’t want to be a perfectionist either. I like to be in the middle. 🙂
MindandLifeMatters
It’s a good quality to be in the middle. 🙂
Joana Salazar
From the start I knew that I am a perfectionist but now it doubled that assurance lol
MindandLifeMatters
Haha…glad I could be of assistance! 😀
sandeept252
I found 9 of 10 points matching with my habits. I am affected by perfectionism.
MindandLifeMatters
I can only advise that you keep the healthy part and chuck the unhealthy areas! 🙂
sandeept252
Thank you, Rashmi. I will definitely do that.
historyfashiontraveler
I’m so stressed right now just writing this comment. I want it to be perfect! hmmm should I press post or should I re-read and edit? lol I’m now a reformed perfectionist …. it’s taken me a whole lot of imperfect years to get here and it’s something I’ve had to work hard to achieve. Phrase that annoys me most though, but I’ve heard often, ‘You know…. it doesn’t have to be perfect” The voice inside my head still says ‘Yes, it does”. PS. Good post.
MindandLifeMatters
So glad that you were able to beat it! I’m still working hard to get there….but I guess not quite there yet! 😛
Nicodemas
This is very cool and so on target! I think I said yes to most if not all. Ha! 🙂
MindandLifeMatters
Haha…like me…I say yes to most though not all! 😉
Nicodemas
I never knew before that it went that deep, so thanks.
MindandLifeMatters
Your most welcome! Glad to be of assistance 🙂
theturtle
No comment …if I can’t make a perfect one 😉
Turtle Hugs
Wandering Soul
This is agree with… Hate it when I make typos and can’t edit! 😀
MindandLifeMatters
Haha….totally!
MindandLifeMatters
Hahah….I totally get that! I will continue to wait for the perfect comment although this one seems perfect to me!
Turtle hugs to you too dear turtle! 🙂
feelings161
I felt like I was reading my own character sketch or personality traits!!!!
That so truly defines me and fortunately or unfortunately my two young children (My genes have passed on so well, you see!!!) 🙂
But happy to find that there are so many others like me 🙂
MindandLifeMatters
I can totally relate. I hope you are separating the healthy part from the unhealthy part and not letting your perfection stop you from achieving your dreams! 🙂
what sandra thinks
I am totally a perfectionist… the unhealthy kind. I can already see the same in my 11 year old son. He is crushed when he’s not the best at everything (especially school stuff).
MindandLifeMatters
I guess perfectionism is an inbuilt trait..something passed onto us? Now that you mention this, my mom is a perfectionist! She never settles for anything less than the best!
Wandering Soul
That photo card in no. 6. She thinks just like me. Whoa! She even looks me. Wait a minute? She is me. Errr… When exactly did you take this picture of me?
Glad to know I am not a perfectionist 😛 Not even close. More like on the other end of the spectrum. Not such a good place to be. 😛
MindandLifeMatters
Haha…that’s a secret, if I tell you when I clicked that picture of you, then I may not be able to photograph you again doing and saying weird things! 😉
Well, either end of the spectrum is no good, that’s why they say a balance is necessary. I am still trying to find the balance from this side of the spectrum and you are on the other on the other end of the spectrum – let’s meet in the middle – I am sure that should bring some balance for both of us! 😀
thelonelyauthorblog
Interesting post. I never really thought about it but a perfectionist is afraid to fail.
MindandLifeMatters
Oh they are! Mostly because deep down they know that the level of perfection they want o achieve is not so easy!
Thank you for stopping by.
thelonelyauthorblog
It was my pleasure.
The Dog Rules
I certainly recognize the signs. I grew up with a perfectionist parent. Nothing I did could ever come vaguely close to meeting their standards. At times it seemed like they moved the goal post just as I was about to score. As a child, I was afraid to try anything if that parent was watching. Thankfully I outgrew their influence. It is a terrible pressure to place on yourself and others.
MindandLifeMatters
I can understand your position, it is very important to distinguish between the healthy and unhealthy aspects of perfectionism. It’s a fine line that separates them.