NEGATIVE TRAIT THESAURUS

PERFECTIONIST



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HELPFUL TIP:

Characters with this flaw will be extra sensitive to certain emotions, so think about how events in your story might specifically trigger these feelings to generate compelling tension and conflict. Another idea is to give a supporting character a positive attribute that is an opposite of this flaw, which will get under the skin of both characters and cause friction in their relationship.
DEFINITION:
Perceiving anything less than perfection as failure

POSSIBLE CAUSES:
Having to fight to be noticed as a child (parents or teachers who played favorites, for example)
Being raised by caregivers with unrealistic expectations
A compulsion to be the best
Low self-esteem; the need to prove oneself to others
The belief that one's value is directly related to one's results or level of achievement
A fear of failure
Childhood trauma

ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS AND ATTITUDES:
Meticulousness
Checking one's work, looking for ways to make it better
Difficulty delegating; having to do everything oneself
Control issues
Hypersensitivity to criticism
Reluctance to admit when one has made a mistake
Setting unrealistic goals
Chastising oneself for falling short
Expecting perfection from others
Being highly critical and judgmental of others
Following rules and regulations to the letter
Being open with one's disappointment when others do not measure up
Dissatisfaction with the status quo; always seeking to improve
Inefficiency caused by the need to keep trying until one's work measures up
Seeking to improve through education or practice
Focusing on one's weaknesses rather than on strengths
Competitiveness
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ASSOCIATED THOUGHTS:
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ASSOCIATED EMOTIONS:
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POSITIVE ASPECTS:
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NEGATIVE ASPECTS:
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EXAMPLE FROM FILM:
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OVERCOMING THIS TRAIT AS A MAJOR FLAW:
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TRAITS IN SUPPORTING CHARACTERS THAT MAY CAUSE CONFLICT:
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