Managing Perfectionism
What Is Perfectionism?
This is the first of two newsletters that address perfectionism. In this
issue, we will explore what perfectionism is and why it is destructive.
In the next one, we will take a look at some strategies for both
controlling the need to be perfect and living a more relaxed, satisfying
life.
Perfectionists aspire to be top achievers and do not allow themselves to
make even a single mistake. They are always on the alert for imperfections
and weaknesses in themselves and others. They tend to be rigid thinkers
who are on the lookout for deviations from the rules or the norm.
Perfectionism is not the same as striving for excellence. People who
pursue excellence in a healthy way take genuine pleasure in working to
meet high standards. Perfectionists are motivated by self-doubt and fears
of disapproval, ridicule, and rejection. The high producer has drive,
while the perfectionist is driven.
Causes and Characteristics
Fear of failure and rejection. The perfectionist
believes that she will be rejected or fail if she is not always perfect,
so she becomes paralyzed and unable to produce or perform at all.
Fear of success. The perfectionist believes that if he
is successful in what he undertakes, he will have to keep it up. This
becomes a heavy burden—who wants to operate at such a high level all
of the time?
Low self-esteem. A perfectionist’s needs for love
and approval tend to blind her to the needs and wishes of others. This
makes it difficult or impossible to have healthy relationships with
others.
Black-and-white thinking. Perfectionists see most
experiences as either good or bad, perfect or imperfect. There is nothing
in between. The perfectionist believes that the flawless product or superb
performance must be produced every time. Perfectionists believe if it
can’t be done perfectly, it’s not worth doing.
Extreme determination. Perfectionists are determined to
overcome all obstacles to achieving success. This is also true of high
achievers, but the perfectionist focuses only on the result of his
efforts. He is unable to enjoy the process of producing the achievement.
His relentless pursuit of the goal becomes his downfall because it often
results in overwhelming anxiety, sabotaging his heroic efforts.
The Costs of Being a Perfectionist
Perfectionism always costs more than the benefits it might provide. It can result in being paralyzed with fear and becoming so rigid that a person is difficult to relate to. It can produce contradictory styles, from being highly productive to being completely nonproductive. Some examples of these costs include the following:
Low self-esteem. Just as low self-esteem is a cause of
perfectionist behavior, it is also a result. Because a perfectionist never
feels good enough about himself or his personal performance, he usually
feels like a loser or a failure.
Gloominess. Since a perfectionist is convinced that it
will be next to impossible to achieve most goals, she can easily develop a
negative attitude.
Depression. Perfectionists often feel discouraged and
depressed because they are driven to be perfect but know that it is
impossible to reach the ideal.
Guilt. Perfectionists never think they handle things
well. They often feel a sense of shame and guilt as a result.
Rigidity. Since perfectionists need to have everything
meet an ideal, they tend to become inflexible and lack spontaneity.
Lack of motivation. A person who expects perfection may
never try new behaviors or learn new skills because she thinks that she
will never be able to do it well enough. At other times, she may begin the
new behavior but give up early because she fears that she will never reach
her goal.
Paralysis. Since most perfectionists have an intense
fear of failure, they sometimes become immobilized and stagnant. Writers
who suffer from writer’s block are examples of the
perfectionist’s paralysis.
Obsessive behavior. When a person needs a certain order
or structure in his life, he may become overly focused on details and
rules.
Compulsive behavior. A perfectionist who feels like a
failure or loser may medicate him- or herself with alcohol, drugs, food,
shopping, sex, gambling, or other high-risk behaviors.
Eating disorders. Many studies have determined that
perfectionism is a central issue for people who develop eating disorders.
The Perfectionist versus
The High Achiever
People produce many of their best achievements when they are striving to do their best. High achievers, like perfectionists, want to be better people and achieve great things. Unlike perfectionists, high achievers accept that making mistakes and risking failure are part of the achievement process—and part of being human.
Emotionally Healthy High Producers
You can be a high achiever without being a perfectionist. People who accomplish plenty and stay emotionally healthy tend to exhibit the following behaviors:
• Set standards that are high but achievable.
• Enjoy the process, not just the outcome.
• Recover from disappointment quickly.
• Are not disabled by anxiety and fear of failure.
• View mistakes as opportunities for growth and learning.
• React positively to constructive feedback.
Once you are aware of the ways by which you expect yourself to be perfect, you can start to change your behavior. In my next newsletter, I’ll offer some tips to help you get started. Until then, begin the change process by thinking about which causes apply to you and writing down examples of these perfectionist behaviors as you observe them.