According to Urban Dictionary, a lazy perfectionist is someone who wants everything to be perfect and has high standards but doesn't have the will to do what's necessary to reach them.

Is it possible to be a lazy perfectionist?

Being lazy is hard. So is being a perfectionist. ... It seems impossible that someone could be both lazy and a perfectionist. Yet these lazy perfectionists walk among us every day in a perpetual state of conflict, constantly being torn between the urge to do nothing and the compulsion to do everything.

Is perfectionism a mental illness?

While not considered a mental illness itself, it is a common factor in many mental disorders, particularly those based on compulsive thoughts and behaviors, like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD).

What personality disorder is a perfectionist?

Specifically, an obsessive-compulsive personality disorder is characterized by orderliness, perfectionism and excessive devotion to work to the point that individuals exclude hobbies and friendships.

Are perfectionists born or made?

Perfectionists are born - not made - scientists claim, adding that the pursuit of perfection runs in families and is determined by your genes. Researchers at Michigan State University made the link by studying the twin registry and comparing the personalities of identical and non-identical female twins aged 12 to 22.

The art of being a lazy perfectionist

30 related questions found

Are perfectionists narcissists?

The type of perfectionist who sets impossibly high standards for others has a bit of a dark side. They tend to be narcissistic, antisocial and to have an aggressive sense of humor. They care little about social norms and do not readily fit into the bigger social picture, a new article suggests.

Do perfectionists have anxiety?

Perfectionism can make you feel depressed, frustrated, anxious, and even angry, especially if you constantly criticize yourself for not doing a good enough job after spending a lot of time and effort on a task.

Are perfectionists intelligent?

Although intellectually gifted individuals are often portrayed as perfectionists, evidence for an association between cognitive ability and perfectionism is inconclusive.

Are perfectionists happy?

Perfectionists are much less happy and easygoing than high achievers. While high achievers are able to bounce back fairly easily from disappointment, perfectionists tend to beat themselves up much more and wallow in negative feelings when their high expectations go unmet.

What is the root cause of perfectionism?

The root of perfectionism is believing your self-worth is based onyour achievements. Perfectionism is often present when somecombination of these factors exist: Rigid, high parental expectations. Highly critical, shaming, or abusive parents.

What do perfectionists fear?

Perfectionists tend to anticipate or fear disapproval and rejection from those around them. Given such fear, perfectionists may react defensively to criticism and in doing so frustrate and alienate others.

Do perfectionists procrastinate?

Procrastination is often a symptom of perfectionism. Because perfectionists fear being unable to complete a task perfectly, they put it off as long as possible. ... The higher the fear of failure and ridicule, the more perfectionists procrastinate.

Is perfectionism a response to trauma?

When PTSD stems from prolonged trauma, perfectionism often becomes a coping mechanism. For some, having lived in an environment where every action was monitored and dictated by an abuser, perfectionism stems from the need to take control of at least one aspect of life.

How do you overcome paralyzing procrastination?

Karen McDowell, clinical director of AR Psychological Services. “When you tackle perfectionism, you're less likely to procrastinate,” she says.
...

1. Consciously lower the bar. ...
2. Keep your tasks bite-sized. ...
3. Track your time. ...
4. Surround yourself with positive support. ...
5. Practice saying 'no' ...
6. Use the reward system. ...
7. Incorporate mindfulness.

How do I become a perfectionist?

Here are ten ways for perfectionists to sustain their drive and get more out of life:

1. Create more realistic personal goals and expectations. ...
2. Challenge your inner critic and dispute negative thoughts. ...
3. Prioritize self care and invest in yourself. ...
4. Practice saying no more often. ...
5. Remember that time off is not time wasted.

What is the best job for a perfectionist?

The following are some of the top careers for perfectionists:

• Software quality assurance engineer. ...
• Operations research analyst. ...
• Magnetic resonance imaging technologist. ...
• Physicist. ...
• Architect. ...
• Pharmacist. ...
• Surgeon. National average salary: $263,865 per year. ...
• Anesthesiologist. National average salary: $375,633 per year.

How do I say I am a perfectionist?

When you're describing a perfectionist, words like "persnickety" and "fastidious" come to mind. For some people, the shoe fits, but for others, it's a negative way to describe someone who simply puts a tremendous amount of effort into her work and demonstrates pride in her skills and work ethic.

How can I stop being a perfectionist?

How to Overcome Perfectionism

1. 1- Become More Aware of Your Tendencies. ...
2. 2- Focus on the Positives. ...
3. 3- Allow Yourself to Make Mistakes. ...
4. 4- Set More Reasonable Goals. ...
5. 5- Learn How to Receive Criticism. ...
6. 6- Lower the Pressure You Put on Yourself. ...
7. 7- Focus on Meaning Over Perfection. ...
8. 8- Try Not to Procrastinate.

Why are intelligent people indecisive?

It turns out smart people are often indecisive because they can see both the good and the bad in every situation. Therefore, when they are in a position to decide, they don't do it for good.

How can we help gifted students with perfectionism?

10 Tips For Helping Your Gifted Child Manage Perfectionism

1. Let them hear about your mistakes. ...
2. Teach them to practice… and to lose. ...
3. Focus on the process, not the product. ...
4. Explain your expectations, and stick with them. ...
5. Be silly sometimes. ...
6. Talk about your own struggles. ...
7. Break routines from time to time.

Can you be a perfectionist and have ADHD?

It's not uncommon for people with ADHD to be perfectionists. They can get very anxious about small details and “get stuck.” Perfectionism can be overwhelming, but there are ways to help.

What is the Multidimensional perfectionism Scale?

The Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS) is a 35 question self-report measure with four sub-scales of perfectionism: Concern over mistakes and doubts about actions. Excessive concern with parents' expectations and evaluation. Excessively high personal standards. Concern with precision, order and ...

Is there a cure for perfectionism?

Therapy is often helpful in treating perfectionism, as it can allow people with perfectionistic tendencies to reframe their thoughts. A therapist who treats perfectionism might avoid focusing on the high standards those in therapy hold themselves to.

Do perfectionists have anger issues?

It was found that socially prescribed perfectionism predicted increased anxiety, depression, and anger after the initial failure and further anger with repeated failures. By contrast, self-oriented perfectionism predicted increased anxiety, but only after repeated failure.

Are perfectionists more likely to be depressed?

Comment: A tendency to feel that any less-than-perfect performance is unacceptable appears to be a relatively stable personality characteristic, according to a study in the April Journal of Counseling Psychology (Vol.