Perfection{ism}:the occupational

hazard of giftedness

Adapted from Lisa Van GemertPerfectionism: A Practical Guide to Managing“Never Good Enough”

Perfectionism is not a quest for the best. It is a pursuit of the worst of ourselves, the part that tells us that nothing we do will ever be good enough- that we should try again.~Julia Cameron

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What are some of the different faces of perfectionism?

~According to Adleson and Wilson

Academic Overachiever

I must get a 100% on every assignment,

OR THE WORLD WILL END!!!

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Aggravated Accuracy Assessor

Excessive focus on exactness and fixation on redos

In adults this can turn into Pinterest Perfectionism

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Risk Evaders

If I can’t do it perfectly, I won’t even TRY!

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Controlling Image Manager

If I don’t do everything perfectly, someone might realize I’m NOT gifted.

AKA as the Imposter Syndrome

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Procrastinating Perfectionist

It is better not to turn in the assignment at all, then chance not getting the grade I want.

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The Dramatic Downside of Perfectionism

Perfectionism isn’t always a problem.Sometimes it can be healthy...Ask These Questions to find out

● Does the child receive pleasure from working hard?

● Are the child’s standards based on personal desire as opposed to outside pressure?

● Is the child capable of relaxing?

● Is the child’s work mastery (rather than grade) oriented?

The correct answer to all these questions is….

YES!!!

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It can also be unhealthy… Here’s how to tell...

✗ Are the child’s feelings about his/her effort based on external evaluations?

✗ Is the child incapable of relaxing or letting go?

✗ Is the child motivated by low self-esteem?

✗ Is the child unsatisfied with even a high level of effort?

The desirable answer to these questions is…

NO!!!

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O.K. great … so now what?

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To D :● Wri E c e s l● Wri I C n at t● As i n, g a , te , g a● Fin r o t d me s● Ema J n ’s a n● Me t h a t m i t● Fix a d A h ’s

pe c o s

The Big Ideas

● Excellent is good enough (stress excellence and mastery as opposed to perfection

● It’s the journey that matters

● Don’t be your own worst enemy

● Just Do It

● Sometimes failure is a perfectly acceptable option.

Excellent is good enough.

Key Ideas:

Teachers should avoid developing climates and habits of perfection.

Reflection time after a task is complete is essential.

Action Steps:

Discuss the idea of leveling tasks. Help students level tasks in their lives.

Model reflective behavior for your students.

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Lev 1- ju m ur ’s o

It’s the journey that matters.Key Ideas: The purpose of goals is to provide a journey experience.

Adults should help youth set appropriate goals.

Share biographies of people who had interesting goal journeys.

Action Steps:Teach Students to use the

Tiny Habit strategy1st- simplify the behavior

2nd- find a way to place the new habit into existing habits

3rd- make the new small habit equally part of your routine as the big habit you anchored it to

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Re d se s!

Don’t be your own worst enemy.Key Ideas-Poor self image, even at young ages, can feed perfectionism

Awareness of one’s strengths and accomplishments build self concept more effectively than awareness of appearance.

Actions:Incorporate service learning in your classroom

Create a class Pride Line

Help facilitate friendships for your students

Design a “game day” for schoolwork

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Just Do It!

Key Ideas-Trying to motivate your students with far-off promises or threats is ineffective.

It is important to help students understand the rationale of the work they are doing.

Action Steps:Model the Don’t Postpone Joy mindset.

Practice Mindfulness exercises.

Help influence attitudes towards tasks by changing the way we label and treat them.

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Sometimes failure is a perfectly acceptable option.

Key Ideas:Telling student how they should feel is far less effective than asking them with appropriate, open-ended questions.

Provide support to students in how to deal with failure (real or perceived)

Action Steps:Create “A favorite mistake” board in your classroom.

Implement Barbara Clark’s questioning model when communicating with students.

Create a classroom experience binder to share with students from one year to the next.

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“The perfect is the enemy of the good.”

~Voltaire