Identifying perfectionism in yourself and others
Peter Lovatt July 25, 2024
Based on the American Psychological Association’s definition of a perfectionism mindset, here are ten ways in which you can identify perfectionism in yourself or in others:
1. Unrealistically High Standards:
– Setting excessively high and often unattainable goals.
– Consistently striving for flawlessness in tasks and performances.
2. Overemphasis on Mistakes:
– Focusing intensely on mistakes and imperfections.
– Being highly self-critical and having a fear of failure.
3. Procrastination:
– Delaying tasks due to fear of not meeting high standards.
– Avoiding starting or completing tasks to prevent possible failure.
4. All-or-Nothing Thinking:
– Viewing outcomes in black and white terms, with no middle ground.
– Believing that anything less than perfect is a complete failure.
5. Approval Seeking:
– Constantly seeking validation and approval from others.
– Feeling a strong need to prove oneself to gain acceptance.
6. Difficulty Delegating:
– Reluctance to delegate tasks to others due to fear they won’t do it perfectly.
– Micromanaging or redoing others’ work to ensure it meets their standards.
7. High Levels of Anxiety and Stress:
– Experiencing significant anxiety, stress, or pressure related to performance.
– Worrying excessively about making mistakes or not meeting expectations.
8. Avoidance of Risk:
– Avoiding new experiences or challenges to prevent possible failure.
– Sticking to familiar tasks where success is more certain.
9. Self-Worth Tied to Achievements:
– Linking self-esteem and self-worth directly to accomplishments and success.
– Feeling inadequate or unworthy when not achieving perfect results.
10. Perfectionistic Self-Presentation:
– Trying to appear perfect to others and hiding flaws or mistakes.
– Feeling ashamed or embarrassed about imperfections or failures.
Identifying these behaviors and thoughts can help individuals recognize perfectionism and take steps to manage it effectively.