Comments on: Question of the Day: Are You a Perfectionist?

By: Wanda Rohlfing

Wanda Rohlfing — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 21:13:58 +0000

I know I am a perfectionist…always wonder how many people feel like me. Some people think I am lazy but the truth is I hate to clean a room and then come back later to find someone ruined it. Like the kitchen – last weekend I cleaned the kitchen – wiped down the cabinet doors, counters, fridge, pantry, etc. Last night I went into the kitchen and found someone had splashed Kool-aid all over the wall, cabinet and counter…they didn’t even bother to wipe it up. I get frustrated because all my hard work was just blown off…like someone didn’t even care that I took the time to make it nice…how do you cope with this? I personally wanted to explode all over my family…I didn’t though…because I know its part of my perfectionism disease.
Wanda Rohlfing´s last blog ..About "The Shambled Shack"

By: Robyn

Robyn — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:54:01 +0000

I can identify with every one of these comments! My guess is those of us that read this blog are all perfectionists. Its therapy for me to read how to get organized. Weird, I know!

I never realized I was a perfectionist until a friend of mine (a neurologist, of all things!) recently told me I was. Since my house is messy more often than clean, I never thought of myself this way. But, after she told me this, I realized she was spot on.

Realizing this was my issue has helped me tremendously. I guess knowing your problem is half the battle. Now I am working hard to overcome this. I focus on productivity and not perfectionism (most days!) and I find myself more at peace with things not being just “perfect.”

Thanks Mandi for the blog. It is one of my all time favorites!
Robyn´s last blog ..Project: "Food Allergy Friendship"

By: Weekly Roundup – Back In Action Edition | Start Living Frugal

Weekly Roundup – Back In Action Edition | Start Living Frugal — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 10:21:14 +0000

[...] Question of the Day: Are You a Perfectionist? [...]

By: Weekly Roundup – Back In Action Edition | Frugal Dad

Weekly Roundup – Back In Action Edition | Frugal Dad — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 10:02:03 +0000

[...] Question of the Day: Are You a Perfectionist? [...]

By: Desiree

Desiree — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:03:26 +0000

I know I am a perfectionist yet to look at my house you wouldn’t know it. If I can’t do it just right I get overwhelmed and quit. Slowly but surely I am trying to let go and let God. One step at a time realize it doesn’t have to be perfect just get done.
Desiree´s last blog ..WHY

By: Mihla

Mihla — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 21:49:07 +0000

I’m a perfectionist, but in a rather weird way. If I can’t accomplish something exactly in the manner I’ve envisioned, I give up and ignore it. Consequently, there’s always “an elephant in the middle of the room” in the form of unfinished projects, waylaid plans, and unaccomplished goals.

I’ve reached a now-or-never point in my life, so I am determined to become more organized and productive. This requires coming to grips with my perfectionism by channeling it into effective and energetic accomplishment.

Thanks, Mandi, for helping me in my quest!
Mihla´s last blog ..Is it ever too late?

By: Barbara

Barbara — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:15:24 +0000

I still don’t get the concept of not getting things done = being a perfectionist. If I have to wonder, does that mean I am not a perfectionist? I consider a perfectionist as one with a spotless “perfect” home, not someone like me with a messy house and a kazillion unfinished things to do. But there is something that stops me from starting one of the five home management notebooks I have wanted to start!

By: Tessa

Tessa — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:08:11 +0000

I need to have a clear picture of the end goal before I’m comfortable starting. Needless to say this prevents me from starting a lot of things! I find I think about things for a LONG time before actually doing them, particularly something that’s going to stick around for awhile. I’m trying to do things with small steps and the idea of using binders is appealing because if I’m not happy with it I can easily remove/rearrange/redo.
Tessa´s last blog ..Early morning excitement

By: Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:45:43 +0000

YES YES YES to all of the above. I am the worst at – if I can’t do it right I just won’t do it. Lists and lists of ideas for projects I don’t have the time to do right, so I don’t do it all.

And then I feel like a failure for something I haven’t even started.

FlyLady is working for me at home (babysteps). And GTD is helping at work (I LOVE EVERNOTE).

By: Laura

Laura — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:07:55 +0000

I am MOST DEFINITELY a perfectionist! My house is really messy, though, so it probably doesn’t look like it. I struggle all the time with feeling “behind”. I feel behind with organizing my coupons, decorating my house, staying on top of my finances, email, everything!

I think it’s a huge obstacle for me because I get so overwhelmed by everything and think that I can’t even get started because I won’t be able to finish it exactly the way that I’d want to (especially with being distracted by my baby).

The few times that I manage to overcome this, I do it the FlyLady way: set my timer for 15 minutes and just go! Also, when I really get focused on cleaning/organizing, I work and work and work until I just get too tired to continue. Usually I just get a burst of energy that keeps me going for a while, and my husband knows to not interrupt me during that time.

I hate being a perfectionist, but I don’t know how to not be one, and then I get anxious about wanting to NOT be a perfectionist. It’s a vicious cycle.