Sunday, October 8, 2017

Perfectionism Chart

Recently I posted about trying to understand the difference between similar but different things. Today I found an enlightening list describing the distinction between doing your best and perfectionism  (Elder Samuelson, March 2002). I find this extremely encouraging because everything in the perfectionism column describes me to a T. Knowing where you are is an important step. 


"I learned in my life that we don’t need to be “more” of anything to start to become the person God intended us to become. God will take you as you are at this very moment and begin to work with you. All you need is a willing heart, a desire to believe, and trust in the Lord" (Elder Uchtdorf, October 2015).


Doing Your Best
Perfectionism
You desire to give things your best efforts and are satisfied when you do.
You have a list of “shoulds” and “have to’s” and are dissatisfied even if you complete them.
You know it’s okay if you make a mistake. You move on and see your mistake as an opportunity for growth or learning.
Mistakes bring feelings of self-hatred. You don’t want to do anything because you are afraid of failure.
You want to do your personal best, and you try not to compare your achievements to those of others. You don’t need to be the best at all things.
You feel tremendous pressure to earn others’ approval. You must be the best or “perfect” in your tasks.
You can find joy in doing the things you love, and you can get things accomplished.
Your need to do things perfectly leads to procrastination until you have time to do it “perfectly,” and you feel driven by fear or duty instead of love.
Trying to do your best and perfecting yourself “line upon line” with the Savior’s help is Christ-centered because you need the Atonement.
Perfectionism is self-centered. You measure yourself against your own standards and against others’ standards, not God’s.