Cognitive restructuring
'Cognition' is a word used to denote a thought or belief, and 'restructuring' involves challenging a cognition by looking at the evidence for or against it. The basic idea behind cognitive restructuring is that thoughts themselves are not facts; you need to consider whether the thoughts you are having are true and to consider whether there are any other ways to thinking about a particular situation. At first this can be a real challenge: we often believe what we think and don't question our own thoughts. However, often our thinking is biased, and with perfectionism it can be biased towards thinking too negatively and harshly about yourself.
Taking a closer look at perfectionism
Since you've decided to participate in this program then chances are either yourself, or someone around, you has identified you as being a 'perfectionist'.
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A clear indicator being that you strive for high standards which push the limits of your ability and require a great deal of time and effort to uphold.
Perfectionism is about more than just aiming high. It also involves a tendency to be overly self-critical when standards are not met and discount personal achievements.
Perfectionism may prevent a person from taking on a challenge or attempting a task as the fear of failure is so strong.
It can make even the most menial tasks feel excruciating because of the level of detail involved in 'getting it right'. These standards might apply only to yourself, or extend to include other people, or be applied to society as a whole.
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Check out this video to find out more about perfectionism.
The desire to achieve is central to a perfectionist's self-worth, such that they will continue striving to reach goals even once the consequences of doing so is outweighed by the physical, mental, and emotional cost.
Common Negative Effects of Perfectionism
Common Positive Effects of Perfectionism
Emotional
Feeling stressed
Lack of sense of achievement
Feeling depressed
Low self-esteem
Social
Loss of social contact and time spent socialising due to time and energy spent on activities linked with achievement.
Cognitive
Poor concentration
Forgetfulness
Rumination (dwelling on something frequently)
Increased self-criticism
Physical
Poor sleep and night-time rumination
Exhaustion
Muscle strains
Headaches
Upset stomach
Academic
Good grades or performance reports
Financial gain
Promotions at work
Praise from teachers or coaches
Social
Serves as a means to avoid social contact so more time can be spent working on meaningful tasks.
Praise and admiration from peers
Cognitive
Motivation
Competitive mindset
Single-minded focus
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Physical
Improve physique due to excessive physical training or dietary restrictions
Perfectionism isn't all bad. If it were, it would probably be a whole lot easier to give up.
Many people with perfectionism fear mediocrity. The thought of not striving or achieving brings more anguish than the thought of having to work extremely hard all the time.
Perfectionism can keep you stuck between a rock and a hard place: it disrupts your life but also brings the rewards of pursuing high standards.
Rewards such as social status, praise, career improvements, direction, and a sense of being busy.
Being focused on one task can give a sense of control and predictability, and, particularly in the case of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or eating disorders, a sense of order in life.