Almost everyone pursues perfection — doing the best job you can, setting goals and working hard to reach them, maintaining high standards. But perfectionism isn’t about any of this.
Perfectionism is a long, maddening drive down a never-ending road for flawlessness; it provides no rest stops for mistakes, personal limitations or the changing of minds.
Perfectionism can cause feelings of anxiety, fear, and self-doubt; it can cripple self-esteem, stifle creativity, and put a stumbling block in the way of intimate friendships and love relationships.
Ultimately, it can create or aggravate illnesses such as eating disorders, manic-depressive mood disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and substance abuse.
Everybody has some “built-in” perfectionism, especially in our achievement-oriented, competitive culture. Complete this questionnaire to discover how perfectionistic you are.
o I never do anything halfway; it’s all or nothing for me. Everytime.
o People who do things halfway make me angry or disgust me.
o I believe there’s a certain way to do things and they should always be done that way.
o I get angry or defensive when I make mistakes. I hate to make them.
o I often procrastinate on starting projects. I seldom meet deadlines. Or if I do, I kill myself meeting them.
o I feel humiliated when things aren’t perfect.
o I don’t like to admit not knowing how to do something or to being a beginner. If I can’t do something well, I won’t do it.
o People say I expect too much of myself. Or of them.
o In my family, you could never completely measure up to expectations.
o I’m hard on myself when I lose, even if it’s only a friendly game or contest.
o I often withdraw from others and from group activities.
o I don’t think work should be fun or pleasurable.
o Even when I accomplish something, I feel let down or empty.
o I criticize myself and others excessively.
o I like to be in control; if I can’t be in control then I won’t participate.
o No matter how much I have done, there’s always more I could do.
o I don’t delegate often and when I do, I always double-check to make sure the job is done right. It never is.
o I believe it is possible to do something perfectly and if I keep at it, I can do it perfectly.
o Forgetting and forgiving is not something I do easily or well.
The more questions you answered yes, the more of a perfectionist you are!
There is a difference between excellence and perfection. Striving to be really good is excellence; trying to be flawless is perfectionism. Perfectionist behavior can speed you on your way to Burn -Out.
If you’re concerned about your perfectionist behavior, don’t hesitate to call mental health professionals for help.
Rhea M. Haugseth, DMD maintained a private practice in Marietta, GA from 1982- 2017. She attended the University of Louisville Dental School and completed her pediatric dental residency at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital / Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. She is proud to be a Fellow the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists, and the Pierre Fauchard Academy – National Honorary Organizations for Dentists.
Dr. Haugseth is a Past President of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), the Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry (SSPD), and the Georgia Academy of Pediatric Dentistry(GaPD). Dr. Haugseth has been a National Spokesperson for the AAPD since 1989 and has been frequently interviewed for radio, print, and national television.
Dr. Haugseth is the Founder (2013) and Director of the Atlanta Pediatric Dental Assistant School in Atlanta Georgia. She is also the Founder (2014) and Director of the Pediatric Dental Team Association. She is committed to pediatric dental team members and continues to develop ways to enhance their knowledge and skills both in and out of the dental office.