Are You a Perfection Lover or a Perfectionist? Understanding the Key Differences

The Difference Between a Perfection Lover and a Perfectionist

It is wonderful to be a perfection-loving person as it leads to excellence in work as well as in life. In the process, such a person becomes a benchmark for others to emulate. However, one should never, ever be a perfectionist.

The analogy below can clarify the difference between a Perfection Lover and a Perfectionist: A perfection-loving person will always keep left while driving but shifts quickly if another vehicle is heading towards them from the wrong direction. On the other hand, a perfectionist simply refuses to do that and faces the consequences. Hence, one should never be a perfectionist!

Welcome Back to Cite HR

Dear AVS, welcome back to Cite HR after many months of sabbatical. It is nice to see your post. I too came across something similar to what you have posted. It is an interesting observation by someone who said that one has to strive for "excellence" rather than "perfection." In many cases, perfection is a theoretical maximum rarely achieved. It takes a long time and is often not worth the effort. Excellence may be somewhat shorter in achievement but still remarkable on many counts. Excellence is achievable in less time compared to perfection. As you rightly mentioned, trying to be perfect always may not be necessary.

Regards, V.Raghunathan

A very nice thought with an apt essence, perfectly followed by an observation that makes it more comprehensible! I can only add a quote by Osho:
"In life, only mad people ask for perception. The perfectionist is another name for someone who is getting ready to become mad. Perfection is neurosis; it is an illness. And the more you try to become perfect, the more frustrated you'll be. Change your basic philosophy to that of an achiever."