Being a perfectionist may sound like a dream, but, in truth, it is a two-sided coin. While it can help you do well on certain tasks, it can also lead to periods of self-torment. Here is what you need to know about perfectionism to maximize its advantages and minimize weaknesses.

The Mind of a Perfectionist

Perfectionists suffer from faulty thinking patterns. Namely, if it isn’t perfect, then it is a failure. This is what we call “black and white” thinking. There is no gray area, no “good enough”. Cognitive-behavioral theory states that thoughts lead to feelings and subsequent behavior. This means that distorted thinking leads to negative feelings and maladaptive behavior. Perfectionists put a lot of unnecessary pressure on themselves which often causes anxiety, burnout, and depression. They beat themselves up and are frequently searching for signs of reassurance. Unfortunately, constantly striving for perfection is a standard that no one can meet.

The Strengths and Weaknesses of Perfectionism

Perfectionists display certain patterns of thought and behavior. Some are considered strengths whereas others are weaknesses:

Perfectionist Strengths

Perfectionists possess many positive qualities that may lead to success:

Conscientiousness

Perfectionistic individuals care a great deal about what they do. They want the smallest task done well. Although you may have concerns about certain aspects of a perfectionist’s performance, caring isn’t likely one of them.

Detail-oriented

The perfectionist pays great attention to detail and will catch mistakes that others miss. If you want someone to review your work, they fit the bill.

Strong Work Ethic

You don’t have to worry about a perfectionist working to the best of their ability. It is built into who they are. They are likely to make co-workers and fellow students look like slackers. Their effort is not something you will ever need to question.

High Standards

Perfectionists tend to have very high standards in everything they want to accomplish. While this will likely lead to quality work, they have difficulty knowing when to take their foot off the gas. This can lead to certain weaknesses in performance.

Perfectionist Weaknesses (and what to do about them)

The following are common problems faced by perfectionists and what a supervisor (or parent or teacher) can do to address them:

Taking A Long Time to Complete a Task

This is one of the biggest problems for a perfectionist. They want the task to be perfect, so they take the time to make sure it is.

What to do about it: a) Provide a reasonable deadline. People must set limits with perfectionists. Give them very structured tasks with specific deadlines. Clear instructions and expectations are a must. b) It helps to make the perfectionist aware that they are exhibiting perfectionistic behavior and that it is hurting their performance. This needs to be done gently, of course. Perfectionists may know that they have high standards, but might be genuinely unaware that it is a significant problem. c) Additionally, it helps to reset the perfectionist’s expectations: The objective is a job well done, rather than perfection. Let them know that mistakes happen and are acceptable.

Procrastination

A perfectionist may procrastinate because they are reluctant to start a project that they know will have to be perfect. Perfectionists possess a fear of failure that cause them to avoid complicated tasks.

What to do about it: a) Break tasks into smaller parts. They are less likely to be overwhelmed and avoid work if they see the project as less threatening and complex. b) Try to give them tasks that work to their detail-oriented strengths, rather than fast-paced and complicated jobs with many moving parts.

Not Prioritizing Tasks

A perfectionist will have difficulty delineating between work that needs to be done urgently and tasks that can be put off for later. They want minor jobs to be done as perfectly as major ones.

What to do about it: a)Make the priorities clear. Perfectionists require structure to excel. Be very specific about which tasks need to be done first and which can wait until later. Providing specific target dates will help them execute work most beneficially. b) Check-in at each deadline. If the perfectionist knows that you will be checking to see if they met their target, they will be more likely to get it done on time. This also allows you to encourage and support what they are doing.

Difficulty with Delegation

Perfectionists are not good at delegating because they don’t trust another person to do an effective job.

What to do about it: a) Delegate for them. Instead of leaving it up to them, tell them that they must delegate some of the work and to whom. Although they may not initially like it, this takes away their responsibility (and guilt) for not doing the whole job themselves. b) Asking perfectionists to delegate shows them that the goal is to do “good enough”. The perfectionists then can see that the job gets done adequately even if they don’t do it themselves. This challenges their perfectionistic beliefs and shows them that they may not be performing optimally.

Poor Work/Life Balance

Perfectionists possess weak boundaries between work (or school) and the rest of their lives. Their jobs tend to take over and bleed into their personal time. This can be especially relevant for those who work remotely and need to manage their time without much supervision. As a result, their social life and personal wellness suffer.

What to do about it: a) Emphasize self-care. You can’t force someone to take care of themself but you can strongly encourage them. Educate them on the importance of sleep, socialization, and eating healthily. b) Supervisors and parents can also impose work/life boundaries. For example, sending employees home if they are working at the office too late or making your children go to bed instead of staying up all night doing homework. Let them know that you would prefer them to keep limited working hours. This will help alleviate any sense of wrongdoing they may feel for not working as much as they would choose.

Interpreting Feedback

Giving the perfectionist feedback can be tricky. Constructive feedback may be seen as criticism and they might become defensive or beat themselves up. On the other hand, praise may be viewed as disingenuous. It is a delicate balance.

What to do about it: a) Tell them that you are having difficulty giving them feedback and ask for their guidance: “What is the best way to give you feedback?” This will open up discussion and make the feedback session feel more collaborative. b) Explain your feedback. A perfectionist is more likely to interpret your feedback correctly if you give the rationale behind it, complete with examples. For instance, when you give praise, provide concrete cases of how they were helpful. When you give constructive feedback, show them the negative consequences of their actions. Particular examples give the perfectionist evidence that what they are doing is not the most beneficial and productive way to meet their objectives. That will help them start to change their maladaptive thought patterns.

Help Perfectionists Succeed

Perfectionism is both a blessing and a curse. Perfectionists have strengths that allow them to flourish in structured situations but their faulty thought patterns can also lead to poor performance and mental health issues. Because they may not fully realize they have a problem—or believe it is not serious enough to address—it often falls on other people to help them recognize their difficulties and take appropriate actions. With the proper support and interventions, perfectionists can avoid the pitfalls of rigid thinking and thrive in work and school environments. Indeed, perfectionistic qualities can be a great advantage when addressed appropriately.