In a world that glorifies hustle culture, it's easy to get trapped in the pursuit of flawlessness. Being a perfectionist is a double-edged sword. Yes, it pushes you to excel and achieve your best. But it can also become an all-consuming endeavor, leaving you overwhelmed and unsatisfied.
The perfectionist personality cannot be put in one box. Psychologist Katherine Morgan Schafler identifies five types of perfectionism in her book, The Perfectionists’ Guide to Losing Control. Keep reading to learn which category you fall under and how to address behaviors that can do more harm than good.
The Intense Perfectionist: Focused but Critical
Dependable and hardworking are two admirable traits intense perfectionists have. You are confident in your skills and one step ahead of your peers. Working alone is comforting because you can march to the beat of your own drum. But when put in a group, your "my way or the highway" mindset distances you from your colleagues. You lash out and shut down at the first sign of trouble, even when it's outside anyone's control.
If you leave no room for error, you won’t have enough space to grow. Mistakes happen; big whoop! Tomorrow is a chance to do better, so don’t beat yourself up. At the end of a long day, wash the stress away along with sweat, dirt, and germs using LIFEBUOY Antibacterial Bodywash Total 10. Its Activ Silver+ formula protects you from disease-causing bacteria, so you have one less problem to worry about. Besides, it’s a well-known fact that great ideas often come .
The Classic Perfectionist: Highly Organized but Rigid
is your middle name. You are so self-disciplined and detail-oriented that seeing a crooked tie infuriates you. At work, you always meet your deadlines because you organize your schedule down to the last minute. However, your need for structure and predictability makes you inflexible. When life throws a curveball your way, your first instinct is to freak out silently.
So how to be perfect without putting yourself down? Resist the urge to nitpick. You can still produce outstanding work without obsessing over the small details. Break down your task into mini ones so you can finish each more easily. As you check more things off the list, your focus shifts from finding mistakes to getting the job done.
The Parisian Perfectionist: Fun-Loving but Too Nice
Ah, the cool, wise, and always positive friend. You exude a charisma that makes people feel comfortable. On top of that, you're always down to help people, no matter the cost. However, what lies beneath this life-of-the-party persona is a people pleaser who feels disconnected from his self-identity. You break down your boundaries to meet the expectations set by those closest to you. The real issue? Your lack of trust in yourself.
Establish your wants and needs and be assertive and clear when communicating them with others. If you have too much on your plate, delegate some tasks to your team.
Work on , too. It can be as simple as brushing your teeth with closeup Red Hot Toothpaste. Made with Antibacterial Zinc that wipes out 99.9% of bacteria, it leaves your mouth fresh for up to 12 hours. So, when you want to say no to someone, just tell it like it is and walk away with a smile.
The Procrastinator Perfectionist: Expert Planner but Indecisive
Often mislabelled as lazy, the procrastinator perfectionist is anything but. You know you have what it takes to be successful, but you believe that anything less than perfection is unacceptable. Your standards are so high that you often can’t see the opportunities in front of you. To counter your fear of failure, you spend the bulk of your time preparing for the worst instead of starting the actual work.
Accept that things cannot always go your way. Things might turn out better than you expected. But you’ll never know unless you try. Set and take small steps towards completing tasks. It's better to take imperfect action than to be stuck in a perpetual state of procrastination.
The Messy Perfectionist: Starts Strong but Lacks Endurance
The opposite of the procrastinator perfectionist, the messy perfectionist easily breaks through the anxiety of . You enjoy the rush of excitement from new beginnings, like learning to play the guitar or going on a . But once the novelty wears off, the fireworks stop. Cue the unfinished home DIYs and half-read books.
You did half the job well. The next step is focusing on the fulfillment of bringing your ideas to fruition. Do one task at a time so you won’t feel overwhelmed. Most importantly, recharge your energy by taking care of your needs. Freshen up with Dove Men+Care Extra Fresh Body and Face Wash, a 2-in-1 product that cleanses and moisturizes the skin. It cuts down your morning routine in half, giving you more time to complete your project.
It's not a bad thing to be a perfectionist. By following these tips, you can harness the good and slowly outgrow your not-so-great habits. With practice and a little bit of self-awareness, you can aim for perfection without being fixated on it, or disappointed when you don’t achieve it.