What is Perfectionism?
What is perfectionism?
A tendency to hold unrealistically high standards for oneself and to strive for flawlessness.
Name one sign of perfectionism.
Fear of failure, procrastination, or being overly critical of oneself.
True or False: Perfectionists are always successful.
False.
What’s one way to challenge perfectionism?
Set realistic goals.
You feel your essay/homework isn’t good enough, so you avoid turning it in. What coping skill could you use?
Remind yourself that completing the essay is better than perfecting it endlessly.
True or False: Perfectionism always leads to success.
False. It can lead to stress, burnout, and procrastination.
True or False: Perfectionists often feel satisfied when they meet their goals.
False. They often feel their work is never good enough.
True or False: It’s better to be perfect than to make mistakes.
False. Mistakes are necessary for learning and growth.
Name one positive affirmation to use when facing perfectionist thoughts.
"It’s okay to make mistakes—they help me grow."
You keep editing your art project because it’s not “perfect.” What could you do instead?
Set a time limit to stop working and accept it as it is.
Name one way perfectionism can negatively impact schoolwork.
Fear of failure can lead to procrastination or avoiding tasks altogether.
Name two emotions perfectionists often experience.
Anxiety and frustration.
True or False: Perfectionism is the same as working hard.
False. Hard work focuses on effort, while perfectionism focuses on avoiding flaws.
What’s a good first step to take when feeling overwhelmed by perfectionism?
Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps.
You’re afraid to join a new club because you might not be good at it. What’s one way to handle this?
Challenge the fear by focusing on having fun and learning something new.
What’s the difference between perfectionism and healthy striving?
Healthy striving focuses on growth and effort, while perfectionism is about avoiding mistakes at all costs.
How does perfectionism affect relationships?
It can lead to high expectations for others, creating tension or conflict.
True or False: If I lower my standards, I’ll become lazy.
False. Healthy standards lead to balance and motivation.
How can self-compassion help overcome perfectionism?
It allows you to treat yourself kindly and accept imperfection as part of being human.
You always compare yourself to others and feel like you’re not good enough. How can you cope?
Practice gratitude for your own strengths and accomplishments.
True or False: Perfectionists often criticize themselves even when they do well.
True.
Name one physical effect of perfectionism.
Stress-related symptoms like headaches, fatigue, or stomachaches.
True or False: Asking for help means I’ve failed.
False. Asking for help shows strength and builds skills.
What’s a good way to measure success without perfection?
Focus on effort, progress, and learning rather than outcomes.
Your friend says, "You’re so good at everything, you don’t need help." How could you respond?
"I may seem like that, but I still need support sometimes."