Black font - March 3, 2014

Blue font – January 28, 2015

Wouldn’t it be interesting if perfectionists would allow us to walk step-by-step with them as they perform their perfectionist role. When they are being the perfectionist - do they think much, or are they simply compelled to do...and do...and do?

It seems clear, perfectionism is either similar [or the same as] the compulsions experienced by people who experience obsessive-compulsive tendency or disorder. Their compulsions/rituals are performed to reduce anxiety…anxiety triggered by discomforting thoughts. Perhaps, likely, the discomforting thoughts involve fear of criticism.

When perfectionists think, is their thinking confined to ruts where thoughts keep repeating while actions are stalled?

Yes, [obsessive] thoughts are concerned with fear of making errors and [compulsive] behaviours are aimed at ensuring errors do not happen. Actions appear stalled, however, a better description than ‘ruts’ is ‘circles’ and a better description than ‘stalled’ is ‘repetitive’.

When perfectionists think, what are they thinking? Are their thoughts like those of non-perfectionists except more textured or broader in scope? Or are perfectionists' thoughts nonsensical or scattered or bizarre?

Perfections thoughts are troubled…worried about making errors, worried about the implications of future errors, and fear-filled.

To what extent are perfectionists’ thoughts being dragged along by feelings of need or worry or criticism? Are perfectionists' thoughts always dragged along by negative feelings? Or, are perfectionists' thoughts sometimes laced with positive feelings...or mania?

Perfectionists’ thoughts are consumed with fear.

To what degree are perfectionists driven to create? Is perfectionist-behaviour aligned with building value or is it simply driven by an extra-strong interest in doing things right?

Perfectionists’ thoughts are so consumed in fear there is little chance for creativity. And, building value takes a back seat to fear-filled actions aimed at doing things right…actually, doing things perfectly right.

Perhaps an in-depth understanding of perfectionists’ mindsets and thought processes would put us in a much better position to help them…assuming they need, want, and are ready to accept our help.

Yes – we need to understand perfectionism is an anxiety disorder. We need to help perfectionists learn skills that bring anxiety under control.

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Or...for another post

Is perfectionism in business a dysfunction by its very name?

Is perfectionism a dysfunction that a leader simply cannot ignore...a signal that corrective action is a must?

In business, doing things right is a good thing. Like everything in business, there are costs associated with doing things right...at the least, there are the costs of time spent. And, perfectionists overspend their time. Others know this. That's likely how the label 'perfectionist' came about in the first place. So, perfectionists are inclined to spend too much time on things as they work to do those things the right way. That sounds conflicted.

Where does perfectionism end and indecision start?

Or - do these 2 things overlap?

Or - is perfectionism an exaggerated form of indecision...one destined to to thwart both good decisions and delegation?

Questioned another way...

Is perfectionism the antidote for decisiveness?

If so, as we work at doing things right in business, can indecision help us achieve better results?