Perfectionism: What’s Good and Not So Good About It.
Blog by Fouzia Fayaz:
Perfectionism is characterized by striving for flawlessness and setting extremely high standards for oneself. When it results in excellent achievement and a solid work history, it can be a desirable trait, but it can also have drawbacks such as procrastination, worry, and a fear of failure.
The ability to achieve high levels of success is one of the advantages of perfectionism. Perfectionists frequently have high expectations for themselves and put a lot of effort into meeting them. They are frequently driven to work hard and make the extra effort necessary to succeed. High levels of achievement in a variety of spheres of life, including academia, athletics, and employment, may result from this. Perfectionism can result in a solid work ethic as well. Those who are perfectionists frequently take pride in their work and are driven to create excellent work. They frequently have no problem investing the extra time and energy needed to accomplish top-notch work. Both the individual and the company they work for may benefit from this. High levels of self-discipline are also a possible result of perfectionism. Perfectionists frequently possess a great sense of self-control and have the capacity to efficiently manage their time and resources. They have the capacity to set and strive towards goals, which can result in feelings of satisfaction and accomplishment.
Perfectionism, however, also has its pitfalls. Perfectionism can cause procrastination. The fear of not being able to accomplish a task correctly may make perfectionists reluctant to begin. They might also be hesitant to complete a work or project if they are not happy with it or if they think others won't enjoy it. This could result in a lack of output and a low level of satisfaction. Moreover, perfectionism can cause stress and worry. Perfectionists may be extremely critical of themselves and frequently struggle with a fear of failure. They could also be extremely sensitive to other people's criticism. High levels of stress and anxiety may result from this, which may have a detrimental effect on both mental and physical health. Furthermore, perfectionism might cause a phobia of attempting new things and taking chances. Those who strive for perfection frequently desire to avoid making mistakes and may be reluctant to try new things due to their fear of failing. Their chances for personal and professional development may be constrained as a result. Furthermore, perfectionism can harm relationships in both personal and professional contexts. A perfectionist could have high standards for others and might be too harsh on those around them. They could also find it difficult to accept assistance and support.
To conclude, perfectionism can be a good quality if it results in great achievement and a strong work ethic, but it can also be bad if it causes procrastination, anxiety, and a fear of failing. Perfectionists need to strike a balance between having high expectations of themselves and being able to accept flaws. This can involve developing the ability to take constructive criticism, creating reasonable and doable goals, and engaging in self-compassion exercises. Moreover, therapy or counseling can assist perfectionists in understanding and effectively controlling their perfectionism.
References:
Bieling, P. J., Israeli, A. L., & Antony, M. M. (2004). Is perfectionism good, bad, or both? Examining models of the perfectionism construct. Personality and Individual Differences, 36(6), 1373–1385. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0191-8869(03)00235-6
Hollender, M. H. (1965). Perfectionism. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 6(2), 94–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0010-440X(65)80016-5
Wigert, B., Reiter-Palmon, R., Kaufman, J. C., & Silvia, P. J. (2012). Perfectionism: The good, the bad, and the creative. Journal of Research in Personality, 46(6), 775–779. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2012.08.007