Perfectionist vs High Achiever: Differentiating to pursue goals step by step.

Episode #4 of the BTB Project, there's a topic that's come up in my house recently around being perfect. If you’re wondering whether you are a perfectionist, there’s a good chance you are—at least partially is that a good trait or a bad trait? There's also a good chance you have some investment in being a perfectionist because of the positive connotations of the word "perfect."

Perfectionists are a lot like high achievers but with some key differences. Today's episode I will discuss the differences, revealing signs of a perfectionist — signs that you may be able to spot in yourself or people you know to help you push toward your goals. 

Topics discussed:

All-or-Nothing Thinking

Being Highly Critical

Feeling Pushed by Fear

Having Unrealistic Standards

Causes of Perfectionism

Pitfalls of Being a Perfectionist

How to Overcome Being a Perfectionist

Unhealthy perfectionism can make it difficult to achieve your goals. It can also lead to worry, stress, anxiety, and depression, among other negative outcomes. 

If you are a perfectionist and want to reduce some of its negative impacts on your life, there are a few things you can do. Strategies that can help you overcome perfectionism include:

Creating an environment where you feel accepted

Engaging in positive self-talk

Not comparing yourself to others

Practicing mindfulness to help you learn how to focus on the present without worrying as much about the past or future