The pursuit of excellence by individuals who enjoy setting and attaining high standards is not perfectionism. A healthy goal setter has drive. A perfectionist is driven and does not enjoy the process of goal attainment. Perfectionists have a hard time seeing this difference. Healthy Goal Setting Healthy goal setting is based on wants and desires.
Healthy goals are one step beyond present or previous accomplishments.
Pleasure can be derived from the process of working toward the goal. Perfectionistic Goal Setting Goals are often based on the expectations of others. Your goal is perfection or the best at all times. Disapproval or failure is generalized to self-worth. Some examples are listed below.