Are You A Perfectionist?
Sarah, a marketing executive in a multinational company, would like to send an email to her important client regarding the purchase transaction between the two. An hour has passed and she still has not sent her email. Thinking so hard about the most precise words, she just does not want to mess it all up.
Sarah may not be the only one. Some people will be like her when facing that kind of situation. They want everything to be perfect. Unfortunately, they do not realise that the perfection they hope for brings new problems.
This is what happens to many perfectionists. A strong desire to get the best does not always mean it will produce good results. Being a perfectionist itself can lead to both advantages and disadvantages. Here are some pros for being a perfectionist:
1. More motivated. The desire for a perfect result makes the perfectionist more motivated when doing something to achieve the goal. They will be very excited and make sure to prepare everything carefully. They can also be more engaged when doing their works.
2. Go the extra mile. When others try to get 100, the perfectionists may try harder to get 101. They will do more than expected. Even for something that is not their interest, they will still try to give their best.
3. Never give up. Every time the perfectionists failed, they are willing to try something over and over again until they can do it right and make it perfect. Their enthusiasm never seems to be extinguished and they are even more challenged to achieve everything they want.
Beside the advantages, being a perfectionist can also have its own disadvantages. Some people may not realise it but these are kindly true.
1. Higher level of stress. Sarah Egan, a senior research fellow at the Curtin University who specialises in perfectionism, eating disorders and anxiety, said that ‘there are studies that suggest that the higher the perfectionism is, the more psychological disorders people are going to suffer.’ Those who always adore perfection will be burnout and it is causing anxiety which can lead into depression.
2. Cannot just “get up and go”. In some situations, sometimes we are required to be able to do something spontaneously. Some jobs even require people who can make decisions and generate ideas quickly. For perfectionists, this can be a great challenge since they will tend to feel that they must prepare everything carefully before the action.
3. Procrastinating. Making everything perfect does not mean that the perfectionists are able to complete it quickly. They often spend a lot of time just solving one problem. They will always doubt about the results they have done and will continue to work until they are sure that everything has gone perfectly.
-Northern Ingo-
