Everyone has their quirks and habits, and being a perfectionist sometimes happens to be one of them. Perfectionists are people who strive to achieve the highest standards at all times. They seek perfection in everything they do. If you find yourself constantly striving for the best results or finding fault with everything around you, chances are you’re a perfectionist too. Here are three clues that may help you identify whether or not you are one.
1. All-or-nothing mentality
Perfectionists, like high achievers, set and work hard to achieve lofty goals. While a high achiever can be satisfied with doing a great job and achieving excellence (or something close) even if their goals aren’t completely met, a perfectionist will accept nothing less than perfection. “Almost perfect” is seen as a failure.
2. Highly judgmental of yourself
Perfectionists are often hesitant to try new things, and they often have to be pushed to do so. Someone with a perfectionist personality
is more critical of themselves and others than a high achiever. High achievers take pride in their accomplishments and tend to be supportive of others, yet perfectionists often spot mistakes and imperfections.
3. Setting unattainable goals
Another sign of being a perfectionist is setting goals that may not be reasonable. High achievers can set their goals high, enjoying the fun of going a little further once these goals are reached. Perfectionists often set their initial goals out of reach.
4. Extreme fallout due to not meeting goals
Perfectionists are often less happy than high achievers. While high achievers can bounce back fairly quickly from disappointment, perfectionists tend to beat themselves up and wallow in negative feelings when their high expectations go unmet. They struggle to move on when things don’t work out as they had hoped.
Conclusion
Perfectionism can be a serious problem. It can lead to depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and anger. It can also leave you feeling unfulfilled because you aren’t able to achieve the same level of success that others are. If you think you might be a perfectionist, plenty of resources are available to help you identify and overcome your symptoms. Remember, it’s never too late to get help.
