Such thinking often leads to procrastination, because a requirement of flawless perfection, in even the smallest of tasks, can become fearfully overwhelming. The perfectionist believes that the flawless product or superb performance must be produced every time. Perfectionists believe if it can't be done perfectly, it's not worth doing. Such beliefs often lead to undesired results. A perfectionist worker may spend so much time agonizing over some non-critical detail that a critical project misses its deadline.
Perfectionists are determined to overcome all obstacles to success.
These internal blocks to productivity, achievement, and success result from the perfectionist's focus on end-products. Instead of concentrating on the process of accomplishing a task, perfectionists focus exclusively on the outcome of their efforts. Perfectionistic tendencies often begin as an attempt to win love, acceptance, and approval. Perfectionists are driven by low self-esteem, so their own needs ultimately blind them to the needs and wishes of others. Indeed, their compulsiveness may lead others to beg for a change that the perfectionist cannot or will not make.