We live in a society that values things that appear perfect. And I suppose there are things that can be perfect. Architects can draw the perfect straight line. Mathematicians can solve an equation with a perfect calculation. And, a chocolate cake can be perfectly moist.

But as human beings, we can never reach a state of perfection because we will always be a work in progress. Perfection indicates a finality – a finished product. But, we as humans are always growing and changing.

What is Perfectionism?

Many people view perfectionism as a positive attribute. They believe the more “perfect” they are, the more successful they will have in life.

Perfectionism is NOT the same thing as always doing your best. It is important that we always do our best. By doing so, we can experience healthy achievements and growth. But perfectionism takes this concept to the extreme.

People with perfectionist tendencies often have self-defeating thoughts and/or behaviors. These can often actually make it HARDER to achieve their goals. Perfectionism also can make the individual feel stress, anxiety, and depression.

Signs to Look For

Most human beings, from time to time, will strive for perfectionism in some aspect of their life. As an example, that “perfectly moist chocolate cake” I mentioned earlier. It got that way because the person who baked it was trying to get everything JUST RIGHT as a gift for someone’s birthday.

But there are those people who are “full-time” perfectionists. They strive for perfection in all aspects of their life.

Here are some signs you may be a perfectionist:

• You don’t like to attempt tasks or activities unless you feel you can complete them perfectly.
• You're end-oriented, meaning you focus little on the process of creating or learning something. Instead, you put all the emphasis on the outcome.
• You cannot see a task as having been completed unless it meets your perfectionist standards.
• You tend to procrastinate. This is often because you don’t like starting a task until you know you can perfectly complete it.
• You tend to take far longer completing tasks than others. This can be problematic at work.

Getting Help From an Anxiety Therapist in Michigan

Again, perfectionism is not the same thing as doing your best. It is a condition where the individual is almost incapable of feeling joy or pride at what they do. In their own minds, they are never quite good enough.

If you believe you may have traits of perfectionism and it is causing you stress, there are things you can do to change your behavior. By doing so, you can live a healthier and happier life.

Begin Working With an Anxiety Therapist in Michigan

If you’d like to explore treatment options, please reach out. We would be honored to support you in managing symptoms of perfectionism and the anxiety they may cause. Our Michigan-based therapy practices in Grand Rapids, MI, Alpena, MI, can help you start your therapy journey! Please follow these simple steps:

1. Contact Unity Counseling
2. Meet with a caring therapist
3. Start overcoming perfectionism and anxiety!

Other Services Offered with Unity Counseling

Anxiety treatment isn’t the only service offered at Unity Counseling. We offer a variety of services to support you through the difficulties life may throw your way. Our team is happy to offer a variety of mental health services to support clients including counseling for teens, depression counseling, and grief counseling. Other services offered include couples counseling, LGBTQ+ counseling, CBT, EMDR, and mindfulness. We understand making in-person appointments can be difficult at times. So, we are happy to also offer online therapy across Michigan. Feel free to learn more by visiting our blog or FAQ today!

SOURCES:

• https://cogbtherapy.com/cbt-blog/2014/7/9/stop-perfectionism-be-happy-with-good-enough
• https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/issues/perfectionism/overcome
• https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/issues/perfectionism