Perfectionism is:

• the irrational belief that you and/or your environment must be perfect
• the striving to be the best, to reach the ideal, and to never make a mistake
• a habit developed from youth that keeps you constantly alert to the imperfections, failings, and weakness in yourself and others
•  level of consciousness that keeps you ever vigilant to any deviations from the norm, the guidelines, or the way things are ``supposed to be''
• a reason why you may be fearful of success, i.e., if I achieve my goal, will I be able to continue, maintain that level of achievement
• a rigid, moralistic outlook that does not allow for humanism or imperfection
• an inhibiting factor that keeps you from making a commitment to change habitual, unproductive behavior out of fear of not making the change ``good enough''

• the belief that no matter what you attempt it is never ``good enough'' to meet your own or others' expectations

What irrational beliefs contribute to perfectionism?

• Everything in life must be done to your level of perfection, which is often higher than anyone else's.
• It is unacceptable to make a mistake
• If those in authority say this is the way it is supposed to be, then that is the way it is supposed to be.
• It is what you achieve rather than who you are that is important.
• I have no value in life unless I am successful.
• There is no sense in trying to do something unless I can do it perfectly, e.g., ``I don't attempt things I can't do well.''
• You must always strive to reach the ideal in everything you do because it is in the achievement of the ideal that you give meaning to your life.
• There is only one way to reach a goal: the right way.
• I'll never be able to change and grow the way I want to
• I am a human being prone to error, frailty and imperfections so find it very hard to take errors sometimes.

To be contiuned.