perfectionistic
Never good enough
Perfectionistic describes someone who sets impossibly high standards and is never satisfied with anything less than flawless results.
The word often carries a negative shade—suggesting the person's standards are unrealistic or self-defeating: Her perfectionistic tendencies made every project take twice as long.
Less common than perfectionist used as an adjective.
Strongly desiring achievement
- drivenIntensely determined to achieve
- overachieverOne exceeding all expectations
- competitiveDriven by rivalry
- workaholicCompulsive labor addict
relentless · tireless · striving · goal-oriented · motivated · determined · restless · validation-seeking
Total absence of defects
- excellenceOutstanding quality or merit
- idealStandard of perfection
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
- impeccableFree from any defect
exacting · uncompromising · demanding · faultlessness · unrealistic · all-or-nothing · black-and-white · zero-tolerance
Focused on small elements
- thoroughComplete in every detail
- fastidiousExcessively attentive to detail
- scrupulousThorough and principled
- nitpickingExcessive focus on trivialities
finicky · fussy · particular · punctilious · painstaking · meticulous · methodical · systematic
Uncertainty about oneself
- self-criticismJudging one's own failings
- overthinkingDwelling excessively on thoughts
- ruminationProlonged, repetitive thinking
- worryTroubled mental state
insecurity · apprehension · second-guessing · catastrophizing · paralysis · procrastination · avoidance · burnout
Excessive oversight of subordinates
- regulateControl by rules
- rigidityState of being unbending
- inflexibilityQuality of being unbending
- orderlinessMethodical arrangement of things
checking · rechecking · correcting · organizing · scheduling · planning · monitoring · structuring
ambitious
Strongly desiring achievement
- drivenIntensely determined to achieve
- overachieverOne exceeding all expectations
- competitiveDriven by rivalry
workaholic · relentless · tireless · striving · goal-oriented · motivated · determined · restless · validation-seeking · approval-seeking
flawlessness
Total absence of defects
- excellenceOutstanding quality or merit
- idealStandard of perfection
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
impeccable · exacting · uncompromising · demanding · faultlessness · unrealistic · all-or-nothing · black-and-white · zero-tolerance · exemplary
detail-oriented
Focused on small elements
- thoroughComplete in every detail
- fastidiousExcessively attentive to detail
- scrupulousThorough and principled
nitpicking · finicky · fussy · particular · punctilious · painstaking · meticulous · methodical · systematic · careful
self-doubt
Uncertainty about oneself
- self-criticismJudging one's own failings
- overthinkingDwelling excessively on thoughts
- ruminationProlonged, repetitive thinking
worry · insecurity · apprehension · second-guessing · catastrophizing · paralysis · procrastination · avoidance · burnout · shame
micromanage
Excessive oversight of subordinates
- regulateControl by rules
- rigidityState of being unbending
- inflexibilityQuality of being unbending
orderliness · checking · rechecking · correcting · organizing · scheduling · planning · monitoring · structuring · systematizing
perfectionisticlax
Insufficiently firm or rigorous
careless · sloppy · undemanding · easygoing · slovenly
perfectionisticsatisficing
Accepting adequate over optimal
pragmatic · realistic · content · complacent · unbothered