Perfectionism is not a pathology

Olympic champions, scientific breakthroughs, great works of art are all products of the perfectionistic personality gone right.

In actuality, perfectionism must be seen as a potent force capable of bringing intense pain, frustration and paralysis, or incredible satisfaction and creative contribution, depending upon how it is channeled. It has the potential to lead to professional fulfillment and spiritual development, but if the energy is diverted by self-doubt and lack of

Perfectionism is the most noteworthy personality characteristic associated with giftedness.

perfection is an abstract concept. It takes an abstract mind to grasp its meaning and to cherish a vision that does not exist in the concrete world. Facility with abstraction is the sine qua non of giftedness; this quality differentiates the gifted from others throughout the lifespan.

Adler (1973) regarded perfectionism as an indispensable part of life, a striving to rise above feelings of dependency and helplessness. Understanding one’s personal power, for Adler, involved maximizing one’s abilities and using them for the good of society. Maslow (1971) equated the full realization of one’s potential with the absence of neurosis.

In Maslow’s prescription for self-actualization, he invites counselors to encourage what others might discourage: perfectionistic zeal.

Most of my clients, and the parents of gifted children that I address at workshops and seminars, reveal that they are perfectionists. My first task is to help them see their perfectionism as a strength instead of as a weakness. I share with them the strong linkage between perfectionism and giftedness, and explain that it comes with the territory of

stage 1: try to defeat perfectionism thru sheer force of will

stage 2: try to heal perfectionism by doing a bunch of therapeutic inner child shit (also psychedelics)

stage 3: fully accept perfectionism, relate to it healthily, and watch it become a source of unimaginable power

Perfection is a paradox—you can never become perfect, and you already are perfect. A perfectionist in an adaptive mindset believes both those statements are true. A perfectionist in a maladaptive mindset believes both those statements are false.