perfectionism
Demanding impossible standards
Perfectionism is the refusal to accept any standard short of perfection.
A perfectionist holds themselves or others to impossibly high standards, often at the cost of completion or satisfaction: Her perfectionism kept her revising the manuscript for years.
In psychology, perfectionism can be adaptive (driving excellence) or maladaptive (causing paralysis and anxiety).
The word sometimes carries a note of criticism—perfectionists may be seen as difficult to work with or unable to finish projects.
Persistent, intrusive preoccupation
- fixationPersistent mental attachment
- overthinkingDwelling excessively on thoughts
- rigidityState of being unbending
- controlAuthority to direct
preoccupation · hyperfocus · monomania · overachievement · unrelenting · self-criticism · rumination · micromanagement
Persistent apprehensive distress
- stressPressure, mental or vocal
- burnoutChronic occupational depletion
- overwhelmDefeat by excess
- strainExcessive stretching force
expectations · self-doubt · fear of failure · procrastination · paralysis · impostor syndrome · comparison · standards
Completely without blemish
- impeccableFree from any defect
- pristinePure and untouched
- spotlessCompletely free of marks
- unblemishedFree from any defect
faultless · flawless · untarnished · pure · polished · consummate · meticulous · exacting
Complete skill or control
- expertiseSkill from extensive practice
- achievementAccomplished goal or deed
- distinctionNotable difference or honor
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
craftsmanship · virtuosity · proficiency · brilliance · skillfulness · prowess · superiority · competence
Seeking out imperfections
- hypercriticalExcessively prone to censure
- overcriticalExcessively prone to faultfinding
- judgmentalInclined to criticize others
- censoriousSeverely critical in judgment
carping · caviling · disapproval · disparagement · reproach · harsh · demanding · exacting
obsession
Persistent, intrusive preoccupation
- fixationPersistent mental attachment
- overthinkingDwelling excessively on thoughts
- rigidityState of being unbending
control · preoccupation · hyperfocus · monomania · overachievement · unrelenting · self-criticism · rumination · micromanagement · overanalysis
anxiety
Persistent apprehensive distress
strain · expectations · self-doubt · fear of failure · procrastination · paralysis · impostor syndrome · comparison · standards · scrutiny
immaculate
Completely without blemish
- impeccableFree from any defect
- pristinePure and untouched
- spotlessCompletely free of marks
unblemished · faultless · flawless · untarnished · pure · polished · consummate · meticulous · exacting · painstaking
mastery
Complete skill or control
- expertiseSkill from extensive practice
- achievementAccomplished goal or deed
- distinctionNotable difference or honor
precision · craftsmanship · virtuosity · proficiency · brilliance · skillfulness · prowess · superiority · competence · preeminence
faultfinding
Seeking out imperfections
- hypercriticalExcessively prone to censure
- overcriticalExcessively prone to faultfinding
- judgmentalInclined to criticize others
censorious · carping · caviling · disapproval · disparagement · reproach · harsh · demanding · exacting · unforgiving
utopia
Imagined perfect society
epitome · aspiration · pinnacle · zenith · acme · visionary · quixotic · idyllic · transcendent · platonic
- personal strugglesself-doubt, loneliness, insecurity, anxiety, depression
- OCDOCD, obsession, obsessions, compulsion, compulsions
- artistic temperamentmoodiness, sensitivity, intensity, creative genius, tortured artist
- mental blocksmental block, self-doubt, self-sabotage, procrastination, self-criticism
- behaviorshabit, aggressive, agitation, conduct, passive
- insecuritiesinsecurity, self-doubt, low self-esteem, inadequacy, inferiority
perfectionismsloppiness
Lack of neatness
carelessness · negligence · shoddiness · laxness · mediocrity
perfectionismsatisficing
Accepting adequate over optimal
contentment · acceptance · self-acceptance · letting go · wabi-sabi
perfectionismlaziness
Unwillingness to exert oneself
apathy · negligence · disregard · carelessness · sloppiness