Wanting to do your best isn’t a fault, but the way that you respond to coming up short can be problematic.
Perfectionism is becoming more rampant in individuals of all ages, sometimes leading to serious mental health issues. This Vox article provides an excellent overview of the issue with links to further information and studies. Psychologist Paul Hewitt is quoted in the article saying, “Setting high standards and aiming for excellence can be positive traits, but perfectionism is dysfunctional…because it’s underscored by a person’s sense of themselves as permanently flawed or defective.”
ACCA counselors can help you determine where the line lies between striving for goals and perfectionism, and can help you position yourself on the healthy side of it.
