So maybe the perfectionist in your life is “YOU” or someone you love. I bet you have formed some inaccurate perceptions about them. Perhaps you have even gone so far as to rid yourself of their friendship. In today’s post let’s start dispelling the many myths that surround perfectionists.
Possibly after reading, “10 Clues You’re Striving For Perfection, Not Excellence” you have convinced yourself the criteria has been met, and you want to change. Or maybe you want to point the finger at the person in your life that struggles in this area. Hold on for a second before we start beating up all perfectionists. Having an understanding will be essential to making the changes we need to overcome it. It is imperative we gain a good understanding of what a perfectionist is and what they are not.
ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL
Struggles with perfectionism are unique to each person. Just like ice cream perfectionist comes in all sizes and flavors. It will look different from one person to the next. Some people will strive in all areas to be perfect, and others only in a few places will it be important for them to try to reach this unrealistic goal.
10 MYTHS ABOUT PERFECTIONISTS
1. Perfectionists Will Try to Control Everyone
They may try to control their own lives, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they want to control yours. Remember they feel out of control and are afraid to be themselves. It can be very refreshing to hand over the reins and let others take control.
2. Perfectionists Believe They Are Superior or Perfect
Inside, a perfectionist is not feeling superior at all. Remember a perfectionist is continually comparing themselves to others and feeling like they come up short. In their eyes, they can never attain perfection.
“Perfectionism doesn’t make you feel perfect; it makes you feel inadequate.” — Maria Shriver
3. All Perfectionists Are Neat and Tidy
Neat and Tidy is not a prerequisite to being a perfectionist. Of course, you will find many that do have to have everything in its place, but many do not. Just because you do not keep your home in perfect order does not mean you don’t have struggles with perfectionism.
4. All Perfectionists Have Critical Spirits
It is true that perfectionists are critical of themselves. However, it doesn’t mean they see others in the same light.
5. Once a Perfectionist Always a Perfectionist
This statement could not be further from the truth. Change is possible, but it will need to be a choice.
6. Perfectionists Are Extremely Confident
Oh, they may appear confident but most likely inside they are feeling quite the opposite.
7. Accomplishments Come Easy
Most likely they have put in a tremendous amount of hours poring over every detail. They have checked and rechecked. It wasn’t easy, and it was time-consuming, and they have sweated and stressed over the smallest of details.
8. Perfectionists Hold Others to a High Standard
While it is true they do hold themselves to a standard, which can’t be attained, they usually will not hold others to that same standard. I know my motto is if you are in charge do it your way and it will be perfect.
9. Perfectionists Are Strong
A perfectionist will appear strong on the outside, but inside they are struggling with insecurities and fear.
Perfectionism makes a person weak.
10. A Perfectionist Must Give up Who They Are to Overcome it
This statement couldn’t be further from the truth. Perfectionists have some fantastic qualities that will serve them well in life. Traits like the inner motivation to keep on a task, their attention to detail, a strong work ethic and much more. One doesn’t t have to lose the characteristics that make you who you are.
Remember – a person striving for perfection is doing so because they do not feel perfect on the inside. All of their striving for perfection leaves them filled with anxiety and little time for the things in life, which do bring them joy.
Hopefully, we have dispelled the many myths of what a perfectionist looks like, and in the next post we can get down to overcoming perfectionism.
Blog Series on Perfectionism:
- Are You Exhausted Trying to Reach For Perfection?
- 10 Clues You’re Striving For Perfection, Not Excellence
- Dispelling The Myths About Perfectionists
- How To Stop Striving For Perfection
- Will You Expose Your Imperfections?
- Topic Favorites
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As a recovering perfectionist, I can affirm many of these!
Thank you! It is nice to be affirmed. Glad you stopped by my website. Maree
Wow – loved this. I can relate on so many levels. I’m try to perfect not being a perfectionist. 😉
I’m one of those that has to have a neat and tidy house, though. The one place I can’t seem to keep up to my standards is my desk in my room. 🙁 Homeschooling and blogging keep it messy.
Choosing this as my favorite for the Literacy Musing Monday’s linkup. I will feature it tomorrow.
Brandi – Thank you for choosing my post for your favorite for this week. I feel so honored. Oh yes, homeschooling and blogging will keep a desk messy. Do you have to clean it before you get started? Maree
Maree,
You have become such a blessing in my life, with yoru words here and with your comments on my blog or elsewhere… but mostly your willingness to pray. Thank you for that, and for addressing this topic. As a recovering perfectionist I was nodding my head along to all these points and remembering the moments in life that were clouded by the veil of my incomplete pursuit of perfection. I am still learning that skill, I confess… but God in His grace is continuing to guid me.
Blessings to you!
Dawn
Dawn, Of course, I will pray, right now as I send this in fact. If you ever want to send me a confidential prayer request, please do so to my email. You too are a blessing in my life. I always look forward to your post and pictures each week. I am right there with you as far as needing God to continue to guide me in the area of perfectionism. Just this week I attended a party with neighbors and brought store bought food. Then to top if off I didn’t change into my red/white/and blue clothes. I was just too tired. The best part was I was so comfortable in my own skin. The old me would have been so uncomfortable with my choices. Hope you have a wonderful weekend. Blessings, Maree maree.dee@www.embracingtheunexpected.com
Maree, you are rocking this topic. You totally blew away the myths. And you are right, perfectionists come in all sizes and shapes.
Theresa – Thank you for your compliment. Then again I must rock it because I have such a problem with it. Yikes! Maree
This is truly an excellent post because of how you have explained perfectionism and left us with the impression that if we work with the goal of pleasing Christ then we will not be under pressure to please the perfectionism trait. Thank you.
Thank you for stopping by, reading, and leaving such an encouraging comment. Blessings – Maree
These are great insights, Maree. As a recovering perfectionist I recognise myself in a lot of this and it is so true that while we may appear confident or strong or that accomplishments come easily, the reality is the complete opposite. I also agree that change is a choice, and a process.
Lesley – Thank you for stopping by and commenting. We sound a lot alike. I hope to meet you someday. Maree
These are such good myths to bust! I confess I’ve been guilty of believing some of them myself, either for myself or about others. This quote by Maria Shriver is so good: “Perfectionism doesn’t make you feel perfect; it makes you feel inadequate.” Great post, Maree.
Lisa – Thank you for stopping by. Yes, I loved her quote too. I know in all my striving I have never felt adequate. Wishing you a wonderful 4th of July. Maree
Thought-provoking article!
Thank you!!!! Happy 4th of July. Maree
Great points, Maree! I often hear this misconceptions and they can be quite confusing. Thanks for making these wise points and clearing up the matter : )
I am so glad I was able to shed a little light on the subject. Hope you have a great 4th of July. Maree
Maree, This is excellent! Such insight here! I will be sharing this!
Leslie – Thank you for sharing. I am so glad you found some insight in it. Hard topic to tackle it hits so close to home. Have a wonderful weekend. Maree
Maree, what a great post. I’ve held perfectionist tendencies over my life, but God’s been faithful to heal those places in me that had forgotten that performance doesn’t equal value. Love this post, thank you for sharing. ((xoxo))
Brenda – Yes, God is good. Thank you for sharing your hopeful comment that God can heal those places in us where we struggle. I am trying to listen to Gods whispers when he says “enough”. Mauri
Oh, Maree…this is spot on. I was really believing I wasn’t a perfectionist, largely because I believed most of these myths you so clearly set right. I fit more than I care to admit. As you say, change is a choice. And it’s always a choice. Stopping by from the Chasing Community linkup
Debby – Yes, change is a choice. It is hard to stop. I have made vast improvements in this area, but I do find myself falling into perfection from time to time. Thank you for stopping by. Maree
As I read, I kept saying to myself, “Oh, this is such a strong point,” only to go on and read the next point — also very strong! You’ve obviously given this lots of thought — and have lived it! Thanks for understanding and offering words of solid hope in Christ.
Michele – Thank you for your encouraging words. Unfortunately, this material is all too familiar to me. I do live it. I am always working on this problem. Happy to say I have come a long ways. Blessings to you today. Maree