Are You a Perfectionist?

The Tyranny of “I Should”

Most people agree nobody’s perfect—right? Not quite. Some of us chase flawlessness as if it’s fully attainable. Striving for excellence is healthy, but perfectionism becomes a problem when it strains relationships and leaves you exhausted.

Research shows many “never satisfied” folks get tangled in details and rigid standards—classic all-or-nothing thinking. This quick quiz will help you gauge your perfectionist tendencies.

  1. After finishing a demanding work task, I feel drained.

  2. If I can’t do something perfectly, I’d rather not do it.

  3. I could never knowingly let an error pass in my work.

  4. In public places, I catch myself critically judging strangers’ looks or hygiene.

  5. I feel ashamed if I appear weak or ridiculous to others.

  6. My parents were hard to satisfy and often very critical of me.

  7. “Good enough” work doesn’t satisfy me.

  8. As a student, I was never satisfied with my grades.

  9. I’m meticulous and organized—almost obsessively so.

  10. I’m uncomfortable revealing my flaws—even to close friends or family.

  11. Seeing a crooked frame on a wall makes me want to straighten it immediately.

  12. It bothers me to postpone a task I’ve already started.

  • You scored points

    Not Much…

    Low perfectionism You’re generally relaxed and not driven by perfectionistic tendencies.

    Context. Psychologist David D. Burns described how perfectionists think in all-or-nothing terms and struggle to adjust standards—even when flexibility would help. That rigidity can make it hard to enjoy progress (their own or others’).

  • You scored points

    Reasonable Middle

    Moderate perfectionism You like things done well, but you aren’t forever stuck on details.

    Context. Healthy striving balances standards with flexibility. Watch for moments when shifting from “perfect” to “good enough” preserves time, energy, and relationships.

  • You scored points

    Under the Tyranny of “I Should”

    High perfectionism You chase perfection and feel unsettled when things aren’t exactly as imagined—sometimes making others uneasy too.

    Context. High standards can fuel achievement, but when every task must be flawless, stress spikes and joy drops. Try experimenting with “done is better than perfect” on low-stakes tasks to build flexibility.