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SQUEEKY2's avatar

Do you admire perfectionists?

Asked by SQUEEKY2 (23475points) January 22nd, 2012

Do you admire perfectionists , or do they most times , come across as a big pain in the butt?

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13 Answers

saint's avatar

Without them, there would be an unchecked trend toward mediocrity.

SQUEEKY2's avatar

@saint ,thanks that’s one way to look at it.thanks

smilingheart1's avatar

No. We perfectionistic types often need many years of “coaching” to recognize “excellence” (doing one’s personal best) far outweighs the unrealistic and unattainable “perfect.” Yes, perfectionists are a pain in the butt making not only themselves but others around them miserable.

SQUEEKY2's avatar

@smilingheart1 ,WOW,That was really well said.Thanks.

the_overthinker's avatar

I prefer them, in comparison to the sloppy.

Fly's avatar

I completely disagree with @smilingheart1. I am a perfectionist, and I am admittedly a pain in the ass and uptight at times. That said, I am perfectly happy being one, and it does usually not have a lasting effect on anyone other than myself. In fact, I consider it to be one of my better traits.

To me “making myself miserable” in order to achieve the best possible outcome is completely worth it. Personally, what you describe as excellence is and has always been perfection, not the “unrealistic and unattainable” type of perfect; from my perspective, perfection is very attainable, and I can and will attain it. I know what I am capable of, I will micromanage down to the very last detail even if it means staying up all night, and I rarely allow myself to call something finished or complete if I have not done everything to the absolute best of my ability. But the final product is worth every moment of agony. I am happy being “miserable,” in a sense, as I would rather be miserable during the process and achieve “perfection” than put my name on something that is nothing more than average or mediocre.

While I cannot say that I do or do not admire perfectionists in themselves, I do consider perfectionism to be an admirable trait in a person.

EverRose11's avatar

I personally cannot say that I admire perfectionists, but hey they are a part of what makes life so darn fun sometimes, them being a pain in the butt in and all.

jonsblond's avatar

Yes. I would rather have a perfectionist build my home, not someone who is going to do a half-ass job or just their best. Same goes for the person performing surgery on me, my dentist, the fireman saving my life, the teacher teaching my children, the pilot taking me overseas. need more examples?

LuckyGuy's avatar

Absolutley Absolutely yup I do admyre Sure do Yes.

Keep_on_running's avatar

Along the lines of @jonsblond, if the result is something good and beneficial, then why wouldn’t you admire them?

Nimis's avatar

I don’t admire them.
I sympathize with them.

mattbrowne's avatar

I pity them. Perfectionists are less happy than non-perfectionists. Some are outright miserable. Scientific studies have shown this again and again.

SQUEEKY2's avatar

Thanks for all the great replys guys and gals.

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