Perfectionism - Recovered 980

Perfectionists hold themselves to rigid standards. This often inhibits healthy behaviors resulting in no action because of fear that they’ll mess up. It’s not surprising that perfectionists often procrastinate. Perfectionists might also impose their rigid standards on others and character defects such as anger results when these individuals don’t measure up.

It is not surprising that perfectionists often suffer from anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. Moreover, those who have perfectionistic tendencies often struggle with balance, acceptance, self-care, and self-compassion ...the list can go on.

Perfectionism and substance use often go together. Perfectionism can also make recovery much harder, since as with other things, perfectionists typically expect too much too soon and are unforgiving of their own mistakes. Perfectionism is a difficult problem to overcome, but with persistent effort, you can loosen its grip on you.

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What comes first to mind? Where do you want to start?

What does perfectionism mean to you?
Have you suffered from being a perfectionist? How?
How did you learn this behavior? Was this learned behavior?
Has perfectionism ever “worked” for you?

How did perfectionism hinder your early recovery?
How does it affect you today?

Perfectionists have unrealistic goals and standards.
How do you know if your goals or standards are unrealistic?
How does being competitive effect this condition?

Perfectionists usually have an all or nothing attitude.
How can his hinder recovery?
Surrender to win
Must admit total defeat to take step 1
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We asked our listeners about this topic.

We asked,
"Are you a perfectionist?”

Did you take the survey?

https://www.surveymonkey.com/analyze/H8rm2Pi4NAWig98bQ2JQdLL5Up_2B8_2FrnCKFnEG_2FChhhrqRKTsGRWx7jI_2Bx3Anp6cK

What would be your answer?
________________________________________________________

Have you suffered at the hand of a perfectionist? How?
How do you cope?

In our text on page 60 right after the 12 steps appear, we read…

Many of us exclaimed, "What an order! I can't go through with it." Do not be discouraged. No one among us has been able to maintain anything like perfect adherence to these principles. We are not saints. The point is, that we are willing to grow along spiritual lines. The principles we have set down are guides to progress. We claim spiritual progress rather than spiritual perfection.

What does “perfect adherence to these principles” mean to you?

What does the slogan “progress not perfection” mean to you?
What program principle do you fail at?
How do you make progress in this area?

How do you deal with failure in recovery?
Give an example of a failure you had in recovery.
How did you cope?
What did you earn?

How do you know when your recovery standards have moved from admirable to unrealistic?
What is the underlying character defect when you suffer from perfectionism?