Signs to look out for 

  • An all-or-nothing attitude
  • A sense of powerlessness
  • Loss of pleasure
  • Sensitivity to criticism
  • A need for approval
  • Being overly critical of others
  • A sense of failure

Perfectionism 

If you are feeling over-anxious about something, ask yourself:
 
  • Am I expecting too much?
  • What are the consequences of not achieving perfection?
  • What else is important?
Often portrayed as a virtue, perfection can have an insidious, debilitating effect. The expectation we have of ourselves –  or that we perceive from others – can cause undue stress and prevent us from achieving what we want.
 
Perfectionism, like an ingrained habit, is best dealt with by taking the following steps:
  • Recognise and acknowledge perfectionist behaviour.
  • Set realistic goals.
  • Break big goals into smaller tasks for an on-going sense of achievement.
  • Try and enjoy the thinking and research you put into your work, as much as the final grade.
  • Keep things in perspective. Learn to distinguish which tasks are important and give the greatest return; put effort into those tasks, and be prepared to cut corners with the others.
  • Acknowledge and learn from your mistakes.
  • Be a self-supporter by turning self-criticism into affirmation and encouragement. 
  • You can always contact our own Counselling service 
  • You might also like to check further information at Centre for Clinical Interventions (opens an external site).
 
Acknowledgement: This information was adapted with the permission of Victoria University of Wellington.