Perfectionism and thinking processes
You may also be aware of certain ‘thinking’ processes, for example:
- ‘Anything less than perfect is failure’
- ‘If I need help then I am weak’
(Referred to as ‘black & white’ thinking, no compassion)
- ‘Even though I have prepared well for the presentation I know I won’t do well’
- ‘I know on my placement I won’t do well, I am not going to be able to cope’
(‘Crystal ball thinking’ - predicting what will happen, thinking the worst)
- ‘I should never struggle or need help’
- ‘I should know everything about a topic and not need to ask questions or show I don’t understand’
- ‘I should be able to manage better and work harder’
(Unrealistic internal pressure and judgement)
- ‘Why am I not doing this better?’
- ‘I never learn!’
- ‘I am so pathetic and needy’
- ‘They are all thinking that I am annoying and don’t like me’,
- ‘I can’t believe I said that I am so stupid’
- ‘I hate myself’
- ‘What’s the point? I am rubbish’
(Harsh inner critic – talking to yourself using words and phrases which are critical and negative)