| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Suzanne |
Posted - 06/25/2004 : 14:06:42
Just little article off my browser homepage.
Since it's about perfectionists, thought I'd post it.
I put ** next to the ones that I personally am aware of in myself, badly. A * next to one that sometimes comes up, usually not with co-workers, but family. I correct family and my boyfriend all the time.
p.s. I never check or correct my posts ;)
http://channels.netscape.com/ns/careers/package.jsp?name=fte/perfectionist/perfectionist
Top 10 Signs You're a Perfectionist
It isn't easy being a perfectionist. You have to be persistent, detailed, and an organized high achiever. You must have exceedingly high standards not only for yourself, but also those around you. You have to conceal your imperfections from others in an attempt to always project an image of perfection.
Ten Top Signs Your a Perfectionist
1. You can't stop thinking about a mistake you made. **
2. You are intensely competitive and can't stand doing worse than others.
3. You either want to do something "just right" or not at all. **
4. You demand perfection from other people.
5. You won't ask for help if asking can be perceived as a flaw or weakness. **
6. You will persist at a task long after other people have quit. **
7. You are a fault-finder who must correct other people when they are wrong. *
8. You are highly aware of other people's demands and expectations. **
9. You are very self-conscious about making mistakes in front of other people. **
10. You noticed the error in the title of this list.
Source: The BBC News Online
Of course, no one can be perfect. So in their quest for perfection, perfectionists place their health in peril through stress and anxiety--and they can make other people's lives miserable. Working for a perfectionist boss is really tough since he or she will have unrealistic and unreasonable expectations of employees.
The BBC News Online notes that some physicians think perfectionism is a medical condition that should be categorized as a behavioral problem or psychiatric disorder. "...extreme forms of perfectionism should be considered an illness similar to narcissism, obsessive compulsiveness, dependent-personality disorder, and other personality disorders because of its links to distress and dysfunction," Canadian professor Gordon Flett told the BBC News Online.
Flett has identified three types of perfectionists:
Self-oriented perfectionists, who expect perfection of themselves.
Other-oriented perfectionists, who demand perfection from other people.
Socially prescribed perfectionists, who think others expect perfection from them.
How can you spot a perfectionist? Look for people who...
...have a "self-promotion" style and try to impress others by bragging or displaying their perfection.
...shun situations in which they might display imperfection.
...have a tendency to keep problems to themselves, including an inability to admit failure to others.
A scary warning for perfectionists: The impossible quest for perfection has been linked to a host of emotional, physical, and relationship problems, including depression, eating disorders, marital discord and even suicide. |
| 7 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Logan |
Posted - 06/27/2004 : 19:01:01
I know for a fact that perfectionism is the number one reason I procrastinate. I don't want to do something, even something as routine as house cleaning if I don't have what I think is the necessary time to do it "right." Rather than take 15 minutes to do a few dishes, I'll leave them until the next day when I can clean the entire kitchen. I'm trying to get over this and accept that I can do what I can do at the moment and it's okay if it's not clean-clean. Sort of clean is better than dirty. Really. :)
Logan |
| Suzanne |
Posted - 06/26/2004 : 11:41:05
Dave, good comment!
I wonder if that's why I procrastinate and avoid certain things then. Good thing for me to think about... |
| Dave |
Posted - 06/26/2004 : 11:23:49
quote:
Originally posted by austingary
I'd say that habitual procrastination and avoidance of personal responsibility are far more prevalent and much more harmful.
In some people these traits are byproducts of perfectionism. "If you can't do it perfectly, then don't do it at all." |
| Suzanne |
Posted - 06/26/2004 : 11:18:20
I don't think perfectionisim is something we need to label" as a "disorder" either, but in extreme cases I suppose it can be as serious as as someone with severe OCD, etc. When I worked in a global advertising agency, there were some very overly perfectionistic people who not only fit #' 1-10, but many more, and those people were as bad as dealing with a person with a serious mental illness. But overall, the advertising world IS a world of perfectionists and perfectionism doesn't seem to negatively effect them. (It just negatively effected me, since they got on my nerves with their demands over the pettiest of things)
austingary's comment I can relate to. "I'd say that habitual procrastination and avoidance of personal responsibility are far more prevalent and much more harmful."
TMS has caused me to have these two traits far more often than I care to admit. But I don't let these interfere with my work. People that have these traits don't function in society as well as perfectionists, therefor yes, I'd agree, they're more harmful.
From the Top 10 list, #2 and #4 are things I never even think about. #10 would've been noticed had this been my job to use the text in a ad layout.  |
| austingary |
Posted - 06/26/2004 : 09:22:38
Although excess perfectionism may be a problem among people with psychogenic pain disorders, it does not seem to be much of a problem among people in general. I'd say that habitual procrastination and avoidance of personal responsibility are far more prevalent and much more harmful. |
| pault |
Posted - 06/26/2004 : 09:14:40
Good job suzanne! That hits the nail on the head--Ouch!!!!!! |
| kenny V |
Posted - 06/26/2004 : 08:50:47
I must comment on this, perhaps that we don’t see perfectionism as a negative but a positive trait.
Yes I admit I am a perfectionist, but the fact I admit it means I understand that I am critical of others and set a high level of expectation on them, but I can also do this to my self. And this is what has caused my TMS to get the best of me.If we can learn how to utilize this gift and tap into its resources we can accomplish much.
Yes I agree with this statement
quote:
*Of course, no one can be perfect. So in their quest for perfection, perfectionists place their health in peril through stress and anxiety--and they can make other people's lives miserable.
Since stricken with TMS my view of perfectionism, others and myself has changed drastically, only to lighten up on all facets of life as I have gained great strides in recovery.
But do not agree with this
quote:
*The BBC News Online notes that some physicians think perfectionism is a medical condition that should be categorized as a behavioral problem or psychiatric disorder. "...extreme forms of perfectionism should be considered an illness similar to narcissism, obsessive compulsiveness, dependent-personality disorder, and other personality disorders because of its links to distress and dysfunction,
Well since I started to understand TMS I how it works in our personality traits, I also learned that this type of thinking is counterproductive to TMS recovery. I don’t think perfectionism is a something we need to fear nor label. I think “ yes” we are all wired differently and all our personalities can be, strong willed and compulsive in some ways. Face it, everyone perfectionist or not has some sort of quirky behavior about themselves. Perfectionism is developed over a lifetime of circumstances and it is our own choice of behavior and should not to be blamed on a disorder. I am creative, strong willed, high strung, competitive, well organized and have a burden to help others. But if I realize these traits as gifts and control the intensity of them, they will take me even farther in my quest to live a peaceful life. And I will accomplish just as much without upsetting my self and causing irritating situations.
Always Hope For Recovery
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