In a recent article for entrepreneur.com, expert on emotional intelligence Travis Bradberry described nine telltale signs that efforts to achieve perfection are in danger of becoming counter-productive.
1. You think there is no other way
On the “no pain, no gain” principle you tolerate all kinds of suffering. But sometimes there is no need for it. If only you eased off a little, you might actually achieve better results.
2. Irritated by feedback
Perfectionists are easily hurt by any kind of criticism and immediately feel offended even if the critic’s comments are well meant.
3. Critical of others
Perfectionists cannot accept criticism but are often quick to direct it at others as they judge everyone else by the same impossibly high standards they expect of themselves.
4. Procrastination
Rather than risk failure in their efforts to produce a masterpiece, perfectionists never actually start working on the task at all.
5. Guilty conscience
Perfectionists are constantly plagued by negative thoughts concerning their own inadequacy. But this is usually more a state of mind than objective reality.
6. Overreacting to mistakes
Perfectionists attach too much significance to trivialities: they see a minor hiccough as a major personal disaster, when in fact it has nothing to do with their own professional competence.
7. Enjoying others’ setbacks
This is not as malicious as it might sound: perfectionists may take temporary comfort from the fact that others are not perfect either. Nonetheless, their underlying problem still remains.
8. Fear of the risk factor
Sometimes the only way to overcome fear of risks is to accept the challenge. But perfectionists are so afraid of failing that their best ideas never go beyond the planning stage.
9. Fear of rejection
Perfectionists see success in terms of gaining other people’s approval; thus their lives are dictated by what they assume other people would like. But this is the road only to underachievement and misery.
Conclusion
To overcome the curse of perfectionism, you must remain true to yourself and seek inner satisfaction from your own endeavours.
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