Do you doubt whether you are a perfectionist at all? Maybe you are "just" very precise or critical, right? When does a healthy pursuit turn into perfectionism? How much does your perfectionism bother you?
Complete the test below for yourself and find out how your perfectionism is doing.
To measure is to know. Right?
To get you out of the dream right away: the perfect perfectionism test has not yet been created. That is not what this test is for. However, it does give you an impression of your perfectionism.
Basically, 3 types of perfectionism are distinguished:
- Self-oriented perfectionism (having rigid expectations of oneself and an unachievable drive for perfect performance i.c.w. self-criticism)
- others-oriented perfectionism (tendency to impose unrealistic standards on others, expect perfection and criticize them)
- Social-prescribed perfectionism (the craving for approval and affirmation from others and the belief that others and those around you have unrealistic expectations of you - trying to create the perfect picture for the outside world)
This test is not conclusive about the type of perfectionism, but is mainly intended to give an overall picture.
For each item, ask yourself how this question might generally be answered in your life. In each case, rate it from 1 to 7. A 1 if the description is not recognizable at all, in any area of life. A 7 if it is completely recognizable, in any area of life.
- You worry a lot about mistakes or errors you have made.
- You criticize yourself a lot.
- Your inner critic is strict with everything you do.
- You mull over mistakes made.
- In your mind you think over and over again what you could have done better.
- You have unrealistically high expectations of what you need to achieve or perform.
- You often worry about what others think of you or what you do.
- You quickly become frustrated with what others do wrong or fail to do wrong.
- You cannot be effective without order, structure or lists.
- You feel that others always have high expectations of you.
- You often feel inadequate.
- You often worry that what you are doing will not be successful.
- Your self-esteem depends greatly on what you achieve or accomplish.
- You are not easily satisfied because there is always room for improvement.
- You try to avoid criticism from others.
- You don't like to experiment with something you are not good at.
- Changes and alteration of plans can make you feel unpleasant.
- Others regularly disappoint you because they don't meet your expectations.
- You like to have a sense of control.
- Even if others are positive about what you have done or created, you do not feel successful.
- You often feel stressed, tired or tense.
- You set high standards for yourself.
- You like to keep an eye on all the details.
- You are critical of what others do or make.
- You'd rather be in control of what happens so you can be sure it's done right.
- You regularly postpone things because you don't know how to do them perfectly.
- You sometimes need a lot of time because you check your work over and over again for errors.
- You are demanding of others.
- You don't like conflicts and try to avoid them.
- You prefer to choose security over developing new skills.
- You work long hours and spend a lot of time on your work or actions.
- You find it difficult to relax.
- You suffer from chronic stress, headaches or insomnia.
- You are always busy.
- You don't like taking spontaneous actions.
- You would like to be the best.
- You would rather not have others see your vulnerabilities or weaknesses.
- You find it difficult to prioritize your work.
- Meeting deadlines you don't find easy.
- You enjoy doing your work and your actions according to fixed and clear rules.
- When people give feedback to you, you focus mostly on the negative comments and find it difficult to remember the positives.
- Other people see you as demanding and critical.
- You would rather not have others see your concepts because you find it difficult to be criticized.
- You spend a lot of time trying to figure out other people's expectations.
- You often doubt whether decisions you have made could not have been made better.
Results
This questionnaire gives an overall picture of your perfectionism. The higher the score adds up on the right side, the more perfectionism will be at play for you.
If you would like to engage in conversation as a result of the test, feel free to schedule an introductory meeting.
Source: The Perfection Paradox - Stop perfectionism and become better than ever-Marjon Bohré