Perfectionism is a response to internal issues. It is not something that should be glorified and should not be sought after. Though the word sounds extremely appealing and can be thought of as something positive, it is certainly not.

The general word perfectionist brings the thought of a very well-maintained human and someone who does not have any flaws. However, the real truth about this is pretty saddening and should make people question their choices. The constant urge to appear perfect comes from a long journey of constant error correction and extreme self-criticism. Though perfectionists are highly appreciated, they might have low self-esteem.

These are not healthy habits and can lead to a person being depressed, dissatisfied with life, and generally exhausted. Perfectionists are generally very well-maintained and have high achievement records in both their personal lives and their professional lives. Though such habits lead to short-term success, they might generally lead to inevitable burnout.

This burnout is hard to recover from and leaves a person unmotivated and not sure of what steps to take after. This is the breaking point of perfectionism. The person is left physically and mentally drained and unsure of life.

Perfectionism not only makes it hard for the person to accept mediocrity but also makes them find flaws in other people’s work. It creates a negative work environment and makes the person generally hard to deal with. This is not an appreciated trait and often leads to peers disliking the perfectionist.

The best way to remove such circumstances is to find a balance between perfectionism and mediocrity. This is the perfect space that leaves a margin for human error and makes sure that one is appreciated for the efforts they put into their work. A person will not feel demotivated and burnt out. Leaving the space for constructive criticism is a crucial aspect. It does not discourage progress but makes sure that the person is not stuck in a loop of a negative self-image.

A good example can be taken from the book Shanghai Sun; The Curse Of The General. The main character and person the book is centered around is named John. He does not chase after the image of being perfect but makes sure he takes precautions to avoid mistakes. He leaves a margin of being human for himself but makes sure he is a little efficient in his plans. This is a great way of making sure one avoids burnout and disappointment. It also helps and encourages constant improvement and betterment.