The Cost of Perfectionism When You Have ADHD

There are many points of view when it comes to perfectionism. So, let’s start with a definition to make sure we are all on the same page.

A perfectionist is someone who is unyielding in their pursuit of unrealistically high standards. It is not about getting 100%, being perfect. Because, really, who can achieve that, right?

But now you may be wondering, “How do I know if my standards are unrealistically high?”

Good question.

Whether a standard is unrealistically high depends on your personal capacity and context. Consider these two examples:

• For an entrepreneur who has successfully built multiple businesses, setting a goal of building a 6 figure business in one year may be reasonable. But, if you have never had your own business, that may be an unrealistically high standard.
• Likewise, for someone who runs regularly preparing for a 5k in a month may be doable. But, if you don’t run at all, getting ready to run a 5k in a month may be, yes, an unrealistically high standard.

Make sense?

From the outside you may be wondering why someone would strive for such unrealistic goals. The simple answer is, if they are a perfectionist, they don’t think the goals are unrealistic.

ADHD and Perfectionism

And, if you are a perfectionist, you may be wondering how this came to be for you.

While there could be many reasons, your pursuit of unrealistically high standards may be related to the actual or perceived failures you have experienced over your lifetime in part because of your ADHD. Now you just want to get it right!

And because of the temptation to make up for lost time, it actually may be hard for you not to exhibit perfectionist tendencies in certain contexts in your life.

While there may be many root causes, like having ADHD, the reason you continue to be a perfectionist is likely because you think one or both of the following is true:

• Others will only value me if I am perfect.
• I only value myself if I am perfect.

Where do you see this thinking in your life?

Is Perfectionism Ever Helpful?

You may have heard the claim that perfectionism can be helpful because it encourages you to set high standards.

There is, of course, nothing wrong with setting the bar high and attempting to excel, as long as you also have the flexibility to alter your plans and goals along the way, if they seem unrealistic.

But perfectionism does not allow you to be flexible. In this black and white way of thinking either you reach the high standard you set with the exact plan your created or you are a failure.

Sounds like a lot of pressure!

So, it is never helpful. Rather, perfectionism is an unyielding task master that prevents you from making creative decisions about how you want to live your life in the various contexts you find yourself.

And you may find you are a perfectionist in some contexts and not in others. For example, you might not put much thought into what you wear. But you won’t play in an adult soccer league unless you can play like you did in high school.

If you’re interested in changing your perfectionist tendencies, it is helpful to first identify in which contexts, such as the ones below, you are a perfectionist:

• work/school
• fitness
• personal appearance
• sports
• organization
• other…

What context(s) in your life do you think you may have unrealistically high standards?

A Day in The Life of a Perfectionist

Let’s take the common example of being asked to do a work task you are uncertain you can do. You might not:

• have the requisite content skills or knowledge.
• know how to create a realistic plan that fits with your other responsibilities.
• be able to execute on a plan in part because of your ADHD symptoms.
• have the time and energy.

Of course, there might be many other variables that could get in your way.

But, because of your perfectionism, instead of acknowledging your uncertainty and allowing your mask to slip, you swallow hard and say, “Sure, I’ll do that. No prob!” Then you probably feel stuck, even frantic perhaps, thinking, “How am I ever going to do this?!“

The options swirling about in your head might include:

• Option A – I’ll just have to muscle through this. I don’t really have a choice now.
• Option B – Well, I could fess up that I can’t really do it.
• Option C – I can’t deal with this now. I’ll think about it later… Right now there is other stuff I have to do!
• Option D – I guess I could get some help.
• Option E – There has to be another option, right?!

And the answer is…?

The Choices of a Perfectionist

If you are a perfectionist or recovering perfectionist, your immediate reaction may be to reject Option B and D. You can’t lower the bar and let them know you can’t do something on your own, right?

And, if you are too overwhelmed with everything else on your plate, you may not be in a place to come up with other ideas. So, that may nix Option E.

I bet you know where this is going, and you are right. You are left with putting on your super hero cape, Option A, or avoiding the task by procrastinating, Option C.

And, obviously, neither of these choices will help you get the task you committed to or any other task done effectively. In fact, perfectionism is one of the chief roadblocks to being productive.

Does Perfectionism Get in Your Way?¹

So, is perfectionism an issue that gets in your way? Here a few statements to help you decide:

If you have answered True or Somewhat True to most of the above questions, then perfectionism might be something you want to work on.

When You Drop Your Mask…

As long as you are rooted in your perfectionism you will behave in ways that can get in the way of achieving what you want.

But when you drop your mask, unrealistically high standards, you might be able to:

• take pleasure in an activity, like playing in an adult soccer leagues, even if you no longer play like you did in high school.
• work toward a goal, like creating a 6 figure business in a realistic time frame given your previous business experience.
• make mistakes along the way and chalk it up to, “Well stuff happens…”
• enjoy an endeavor you might not excel at, such as running a 5k.
• approach something as an experiment without attachment to the outcome.
• …and more.

Consider the contexts where you have unrealistically high standards. What would be possible for you, if you aligned them with your personal capacity?

Stay Tuned…

You know the cost of being a perfectionist. Are you interested in dropping your mask?

If you are, stay tuned for the next post where I will look at strategies to help you begin to clear this roadblock out of your life.

¹Fursland, A., Raykos, B. and Steele, A. (2009). Perfectionism in Perspective. Perth, Western Australia: Centre for Clinical Interventions.