Are you cursed with Perfectionism?

All my adult life, I've tried to be a perfectionist, though, in many cases, I don't succeed. Now that I face life minus my right leg, physically, there's no way perfection can be accomplished; not only in looks, but in some things I can no longer perform let alone try to do perfectly. Though I still like to be prefect, I've come to accept things have to be as good as I can get them and that's as far as it goes.

Have a model airplane my son painted when he was about four years old. He just added color where ever he thought. It is such a great looking model! I keep it to remind me that coloring in the lines is not always the best.

Great article Danielle.
I am not a perfectionist.

I've been guilty of trying to do things perfectly for years so I must try very hard to force myself to just do it (whatever it is that I'm doing) and I find that while I may not entirely like whatever it is I've done, other's find my efforts to be good or even excellent in some cases so yes I think perfection really is something that gets done! I remember a paper that I had to do for my Chinese history class once. I could not do it the way that I wanted for anything and yet I knew that if I didn't do it at all I would totally fail the class so.... I did the paper. I had to make myself do it and I didn't get to finish it and hit all the points we were supposed to but I actually got a C on the paper with an apology from the instructor saying he was sorry but he couldn't give me a higher grade because I hadn't covered all the points I was supposed to. I've always thought that was amazing. I passed the class too.

I'm not sure I'm classified as a perfectionist, but I understand the quote. Too often while I'm writing, I get stuck on a simple word. When I can't find the right word that fits perfectly, I tend to walk away. I'm learning to just type something in there and go back later. I have found the value of the rough draft.

I went through the same thing in college. I loved writing papers, but if I couldn't get it exactly the way I wante it, I was frustrated to no end. Hopefully, I'm learning, and of course that's what life is all about - learning.

Sometimes you can't be perfect, but it doesn't hurt to try.

Where I am my own worst critic about things I create, I think things that others have created are wonderful (though the creator feels they are flawed). Go figure. I don't know what that makes me.

poor sad silly, STUPID people who "HAVE TO HAVE IT JUST SO... "

so much of life missed.

I have some perfectionistic tendencies and am learning how to slowly let some of them go!

perfection......... leads to misery trying to accomplish it.

I am learning to be a less-than-perfection-ist. I have to give NaNoWriMo the credit for setting me on that path and helping me learn to play at my work.

i've learned to let go of perfection... less stress that way... Blessings...

thank you for your comments too...


Myspace Comments @ DazzleJunction.com

wonderful!

I'm a perfectionist plagued with Compulsive Obsessive Disorder...lol...which is a real bad combination. It's been difficult, but since getting sick I've had to learn to let go of a lot of things...life's too short.

I used to be a perfectionist, but not anymore.

Thanks for posting to **Comments, Comments, Comments**.

Thanks Dani, I needed that!!

I am not a perfectionist, but I live with people that are and it is very difficult.

Certainly not!

If I'm writing on a computer or in pencil I am. I'm better off writing in pen, since I can't go back and make changes as easily. If I'm sewing there is almost always a mistake and I've come to just accept them.

I've noticed that, for the most part, people who say "I'm a perfectionist" say it with a hint of pride. As if they do things better than anyone else.

The problem with being a perfectionist is that it takes so long to complete a task to their satisfaction, little gets done.

Something else to consider: It's not enough to do things right, you have to make sure you are doing the right things.

Unfortunately, sometimes I am!

i tend to be over critical when it comes to certain things about myself, but usually not...

That's Me!

I don't know if perfectionism is the enemy of creation though. It certainly is an impediment...but perhaps that's what was meant. I could certainly accomplish more if I can just learn the phrase "it's good enough".

I was born to be a perfectionist, and come from a long line of them on my mother's side. I have to fight the tendencies all the time. It can so easily turn you into someone who is too critical, when others aren't perfect enough. Great article. I am much better than I used to be.

Perfectionism is very over-rated, there is no real test for true perfection and even if you could attain it, there would be those who would still find you imperfect......

But to strive to do the best job that you think is the best that can be done with that task is a better objective to accomplish.

Been there and done that.....

I am trying to break that curse, every time I let a typo slip by my watchful eye.

I'm somewhat of a perfectionist, but my husband is even more so...

I agree. Perfectionism can really thwart a person. I'm gardening right now and have to say that upside down gardening is a happy mistake (growing tomatoes upside down on purpose) People laughed at the first person who did it but I'm happy to have done it. More tomatoes, less rot.

The only time I really aim for perfection is during exams. Happy accidents can improve creative works, so you have to leave the door open for them when writing. In journal writing, if I made a mistake I never crossed it out but left it to show my later self the stumbles of my mind.

Most of the time I am not any where near a perfectionist, but at times I am. Great article.

Absolutely!

i have no need to be perfect as I know I can't be!

I can be guilty of this

I used to be!!

Perfectionist isn't me. I used to date one. Oh I hated it!

Interesting point of view.