200 Famous Quote about Perfectionism and Excellence

Quote about perfectionism: “Perfection is the enemy of good design” — Dieter Rams. The more you think about it, the more you realize that there are things that we do and say that could be deemed “perfect.” Whether it be in our personal lives, businesses, or just our everyday lives, perfectionism is prevalent in all of us.

We are so used to looking for perfection that we may not even notice how much our lives are affected by it. We may be aware of the stress we experience from being on top of everything, but may not be. “Perfection is the enemy of progress.”

The Perfectionist

A perfectionist is someone who is highly sensitive to the idea of lacking something. They are often very good at convincing themselves that they are not doing well at something, and that they do not deserve to be there. They are often very hard on their parents, siblings, friends, and even themselves. A perfectionist is someone who has a high level of self-esteem.

Quote about Perfectionism

“Don’t be a victim of your thoughts.” – Darlene Lancer

“Your perfection has room for improvement.” — Ty Warner

“Self-talk reflects your innermost feelings.” – Dr. Asa Don Brown

“Your self-talk is the channel of behavior change.” – Gino Norris

Quote about Perfectionism

“Only a fool pursues perfection; the wise pursue self-correction.” — Abhijit Naskar

“There is no perfection, only beautiful versions of brokenness.” — Shannon L. Alder

“When things are perfect, that’s when you need to worry most.” — Drew Barrymore

“Nobody has a perfect life. Everybody has something that he wishes was not the way it is.” — Stan Lee

“Don’t strive for perfection, but purrfection. You know, like cats. Just do you and that’ll do.” – Christina Morero

“Be very careful what you say to yourself because someone very important is listening . . . YOU!” – John Assaraf

“Progress not perfection… you can’t be perfect everything… but you can make progress on a daily basis.” – Court Mcgee

“Learning to give up on perfection may be just about the most romantic move any of us could make.” — Alain de Botton

Perfectionism and Character

“The thoughts in your mind will always be more important than the things in your life. Choose happiness.” – John C. Maxwell

“People often miss out on their own human genius because they’re trying to be more perfect than the gods.” — Curtis Tyrone Jones

“Perfection of character is this: to live each day as if it were your last, without frenzy, without apathy, without pretense.” — Marcus Aurelius

“People call me a perfectionist, but I’m not. I’m a rightist. I do something until it’s right, and then I move on to the next thing.” — James Cameron

“Perfectionism is not a quest for the best. It is a pursuit of the worst in ourselves, the part that tells us that nothing we do will ever be good enough.” — Julia Cameron

“Let go of perfectionism. Surrender to the flawed, human messiness and do the thing that your heart and soul desperately wants to do.” — Katherine Mackenzie Smith

“The inescapable contrariety between ‘being a perfectionist’ and ‘being a procrastinator’ is never actually perceived by someone who procrastinates.” — Mrityunjay Dixit

“If human emotions largely result from thinking, then one may appreciably control one’s feelings by controlling one’s thoughts – or by changing the internalized sentences, or self-talk, with which one largely created the feeling in the first place.” – Albert Ellis

Related: Perfect Winning Attitude Quotes to Focus on Positive Approach

Famous Quotes about Perfectionism

“Have the courage to be imperfect.” — Alfred Adler

“Done is better than perfect.” — Sheryl Sandberg

“Proliferation is greater than perfection.” — Richie Norton

“Don’t be a victim of your thoughts.” – Darlene Lancer

“Focus on progress, not perfection.” – Bill Phillips

Quote about Perfectionism

“Perfection is the enemy of progress.” – Winston Churchill

“Personal growth is about progress, not perfection.” – Hal Elrod

“Where perfectionism is driving, your shame is riding shotgun.” — Brené Brown

“And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.” — John Steinbeck

“Be mindful of your self-talk. It’s a conversation with the universe.” – David James

“Let go of who you’re supposed to be and embrace who you are.” – Brene Brown

“Don’t let perfectionism become an excuse for never getting started.” — Marilu Henner

“perfectionism is a disease. Procrastination is a disease. Action is the cure.” – Richie Norton

“Those who have a strong sense of love and belonging have the courage to be imperfect.” – Brene Brown

“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.” – Vince Lombardi

“If you wait for things to be perfect, you walk away with nothing. Just jump in and get started.” – Jennifer Ritchie

Short Quotes about Perfectionism

“Perfect is good but done is better.” – Jane Hamill

“Done is better than perfect.” – Sheryl Sandberg

“Perfection is a roadblock to progress.” – Unknown

“Perfect is the enemy of good” – Voltaire

“Perfect is the enemy of done.” — Catherine Carrigan

“I do think imperfection is underrated.” — Helena Bonham Carter

Quote about Perfectionism

“Done is better than perfect if perfect ain’t done.” — Eric Thomas

“For a better life, redefine your definitions of perfect.” — Akiroq Brost

“The magic elixir to perfectionism is to practice gratitude.” — Scott Mautz

“I don’t think anything is unrealistic if you believe you can do it.” – Mike Ditka

“Relentless, repetitive self talk is what changes our self-image.” – Denis Waitley

“I am glad that I am not perfect — I would be bored to death!” — Louise Fitzhugh

“Perfectionism attaches to what is valued in the culture.” — Gloria Steinem

“I’ve learned how my own perfectionism can cripple me.” — Jennifer Nettles

“Evidence is conclusive that your self-talk has a direct bearing on your performance.” – Zig Ziglar

“My teacher once told me, “No one is perfect, and that’s why pencils have erasers.” — Mahesh Bhatt

“It’s not about perfection. What’s a perfect painting? What’s interesting about a perfect painting?” — Peter Doig

“Nobody on this earth is perfect. Everybody has their flaws. Everybody has their dark secrets and vices.” — Juice Wrld

Quotes about Positive Self Talk

“Deviation from perfection is the beauty of human experience.” — Drew Gerald

“Perfectionism doesn’t make you feel perfect; it makes you feel inadequate.” — Maria Shriver

“Practice does not make perfect. Imperfect makes us practice.” — Mokokoma Mokhonoana

“An artist obsessed with perfection is bound to dim the light of his art.” — Michael Bassey Johnson

“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.” — Vince Lombardi

Quote about Perfectionism

“Perfectionism is a dream killer because it’s just fear disguised as trying to do your best.” — Mastin Kipp

“We don’t need to be perfect to do good deeds in the world, but we need to be sincere in our efforts.” — Gudjon Bergmann

“Striving for perfection is a good and worthwhile effort. Expecting to attain perfection can kill you.” — Laurence Bergreen

Positive Self Talk

“We’re going to have to bust down the door on the myth of perfectionism. We’re going to call it what it really is: fear.” — Karen Rinaldi

“When we relate to ourselves with loving kindness, perfectionism naturally drops away.” — Sharon Salzberg

Quote about Perfectionism

“Good enough is good enough. Perfect will make you a big fat mess every time.” — Rebecca Wells

“The essence of being human is that one does not seek perfection.” — George Orwell

“The seed of your next artwork lies embedded in the imperfections of your current piece.” — David Bayles

“In order to go on living, one must try to escape the death involved in perfectionism.” — Hannah Arendt

“There is no way to genuinely, powerfully, truly love yourself while crafting a mask of perfection.” — Vironika Tugaleva

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Quote about Perfectionism for Instagram

“Perfectionism is self-abuse of the highest order.” – Anne Wilson Schaef

“Perfectionism is the enemy of creation, as extreme self-solitude is the enemy of well-being.” – John Updike

“Perfectionism is a twenty-ton shield that we lug around thinking it will protect us when, in fact, it’s the thing that’s really preventing us from taking flight.” – Brene Brown

“Perfectionism is not a quest for the best. It is a pursuit of the worst in ourselves, the part that tells us that nothing we do will ever be good enough.” – Julia Cameron

“Perfectionism is a dangerous state of mind in an imperfect world.” – Robert Hillyer

“Perfectionism is not about striving for excellence; it’s about striving for the unattainable.” – Courtney Martin

“Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life.” – Anne Lamott

“Perfectionism is self-destruction in the name of self-improvement.” – Andrew Solomon

“Perfectionism is the enemy of progress. Embrace the beauty of imperfection and let it propel you forward.” – Unknown

Perfect Quote about Perfectionism for Instagram

“Perfectionism is a flaw disguised as a virtue.” – Adrian Savage

“Perfectionism is the belief that if we live perfectly, look perfect, and act perfect, we can minimize or avoid the pain of blame, judgment, and shame.” – Brene Brown

“Perfectionism is not striving for excellence but striving for an illusion of flawlessness.” – Unknown

“Perfectionism is simply fear in fancy shoes and a mink coat, pretending to be elegant when, in fact, it’s crippling and cruel.” – Elizabeth Gilbert

“Perfectionism is the enemy of happiness. Embrace your flaws, and you’ll find true contentment.” – Unknown

“Perfectionism is a burden that steals joy and stifles progress. Embrace imperfection, and you’ll find freedom.” – Unknown

“Perfectionism is like chasing the horizon. No matter how far you go, it will always remain out of reach.” – Unknown

“Perfectionism is the highest form of self-abuse. Accept that you’re human, and let go of the need to be perfect.” – Unknown

“Perfectionism is a prison of our own making. Break free and embrace the beauty of being imperfectly perfect.” – Unknown

“Perfectionism is an illusion that prevents us from fully embracing the messy and beautiful reality of life.” – Unknown

“Perfectionism is not the path to greatness; it’s the path to mediocrity. Embrace your imperfections and unleash your true potential.” – Unknown

Quotes on Perfection and Excellence

“When things are perfect, that’s when you need to worry most.” – Drew Barrymore

“Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing.” – Harriet Braiker

“Excellence does not require perfection.” – Henry James

“Good enough is good enough.” Perfect will make you a big fat mess every time.” – Rebecca Wells

“Sometimes good enough is just perfect”. – Cristina Morero

“Don’t aim for perfection. Aim for ‘better than yesterday.” – Izey Victoria Odiase

“Have no fear of perfection – you’ll never reach it.” – Salvador Dali

“Everything is perfect and there is always room for improvement.” – Shunryu Suzuki

“The most valuable thing you can make is a mistake. You can’t learn anything from being perfect.” – Adam Osbourne

“Have the courage to be imperfect.” – Alfred Adler

“I was born to make mistakes. Not fake perfection.” – Drake

“Perfectionism is self-abuse of the highest order.” – Anne Wilson Schaef

“Perfectionism is the art of never being satisfied.” – Unknown

“If you’re not making some notable mistakes along the way, you’re certainly not taking enough business and career chances. “ – Sallie Krawcheck

Quote about Perfectionism and Hard Work

“Find the perfection in every moment instead of trying to make every moment perfect.” — Donnalynn Civello

“We’re never perfect. We’re always measured against a yardstick we’ll never see.” — Molly M. Cantrell-Kraig

“Perfectionism is a delusion that can rob one of a very successful, enriching life if not careful.” – April Bryan

“Perfectionism is not as much the desire for excellence as it is the fear of failure couched in procrastination.” – Dan Miller

“Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you insane for your whole life.” – anne lamott

“If perfection had a slogan, I think it would be something like: “Perfection, the preferred hiding place of people everywhere.’” — Kristin Schell

“Perfectionism sucks the air out of your uniqueness and leaves you empty, away from who you could become.” — Darryl Stewart Wellness

“I don’t have to be perfect. All I have to do is show up and enjoy the messy, imperfect, and beautiful journey of my life.” — Kerry Washington

“Perfectionism means that you try not to leave so much mess to clean up. But clutter and mess show us that life is being lived.” – Anne Lamott

“People call me a perfectionist, but i’m not. I’m a rightist. I do something until it’s right, and then i move on to the next thing.” – James Cameron

“Consequences are connected to our actions. Therefore, it is crucial to be ever conscious and aware of what we think, do, and say. Those thoughts, action, and words will literally define who we are.” – Michael G. Sawaya

Best Quote about Perfectionism and Hard Work

“But I am learning that perfection isn’t what matters. In fact, it’s the very thing that can destroy you if you let it.” — Emily Giffin, Something Borrowed

“At its root, perfectionism isn’t really about a deep love of being meticulous. It’s about fear. Fear of making a mistake. Fear of disappointing others. Fear of failure. Fear of success.” — Michael Law

“Too many people spend too much time trying to perfect something before they do it. Instead of waiting for perfection, run with what you got, and fix it along the way.” — Paul Arden

“I have to say that I’ve always believed perfectionism is more of a disease than a quality. I do try to go with the flow, but I can’t let go.” — Rowan Atkinson

“I will be patient with myself as i develop into the person i am meant to be. Being perfect is not the goal. Continuing to grow in a positive direction is the goal.” – Unknown

“Brain wave tests prove that when we use positive words, our “feel good” hormones flow. Positive self-talk releases endorphins and serotonin in our brain, which then flow throughout our body, making us feel good. These neurotransmitters stop flowing when we use negative words.” – Ruth Fishel

“More fundamentally, I’m interested in memory because it’s a filter through which we see our lives, and because it’s foggy and obscure, the opportunities for self-deception are there. In the end, as a writer, I’m more interested in what people tell themselves happened rather than what actually happened.” – Kazuo Ishiguro

“Either you must control your thoughts or the outside forces will control them and be warned that the outside forces usually consist of fears, worries and doubts.” – Maddy Malhotra

Long Quote about Perfectionism

“Don’t worry about not doing “it” perfectly right now. It’s ok, just keep at it, you will soon settle in it, and then you’ll be glad you didn’t give up.” – Temitope Ibrahim

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

“People call these things imperfections, but they’re not. That’s the good stuff. And then we get to choose who we let into our weird little worlds.” — Good Will Hunting

“Even when we strive for perfection, life is nothing more than an attempt to achieve it through a series of greater or smaller imperfections.” — Peter Prange

“Worst thing about being a perfectionist: Everything you do might look amazing in someone else’s eyes but, in your heart, never truly satisfied.” — Emmie Lee Dean

“Like the bronze statue of the Angel of the Waters, those who pursue perfection find themselves paralyzed by the possibility of flaw, fault, or failure.” — Jamie Le Fay

“What if you wake up someday, and you’re 65… and you were just so strung out on perfectionism and people-pleasing that you forgot to have a big juicy creative life.” — Anne Lamott

“The most successful people are not the most perfect, but the imperfect who dare to believe that they can despite the damning verdict.” — Bangambiki Habyarimana

“The desire of perfection often leads to the awakening of the Procrasdemon. Allowing yourself to make mistakes is the single most effective way to get rid of it.” — Neeraj Agnihotri

“To be courageous, we must be willing to surrender our perfectionism, if only for a moment. If my self-worth is attached to being flawless, why would I ever try to learn anything new? After all, learning requires mistakes.” — Vironika Tugaleva, The Love Mindset

“Consequences are connected to our actions. Therefore, it is crucial to be ever conscious and aware of what we think, do, and say. Those thoughts, action, and words will literally define who we are.” – Michael G. Sawaya

Good Quote about Perfectionism and Hard Work

“Perfectionism is not the same as striving for excellence. Perfectionism is the belief that if we live perfectly, look perfect, and act perfectly, we can avoid the pain of blame, judgment, and shame. It’s a shield.” – Brené Brown

“Strive for progress, not perfection. Perfection is an illusion, but progress is real and achievable through hard work and dedication.” – Unknown

“Perfectionism is the enemy of productivity. Instead of seeking perfection, focus on taking consistent action and making continuous improvements.” – Unknown

“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” – Tim Notke

“Perfectionism is a double-edged sword. It can drive you to excel, but it can also paralyze you with fear. Embrace the imperfect journey of hard work and growth instead.” – Unknown

“Success is not the result of perfection, but rather the product of relentless effort and the willingness to learn from mistakes along the way.” – Unknown

“The pursuit of perfection often leads to procrastination. Don’t wait for perfection; take imperfect action and refine as you go.” – Unknown

“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.” – Vince Lombardi

“Hard work and perseverance are the keys to unlocking your potential. Don’t let the quest for perfection hinder your progress.” – Unknown

“The road to success is paved with hard work, resilience, and a willingness to embrace imperfection. Strive for excellence, but don’t let perfectionism hold you back.” – Unknown

Frequently Asked Questions

Is perfection an illusion?

Perfection is often considered an illusion because it is an idealized state that is virtually unattainable in most aspects of life. Perfection implies flawlessness, without any errors, faults, or shortcomings. However, in reality, everything in the world is subject to imperfections and variability.

Human beings are fallible, and even the most accomplished individuals have their limitations and make mistakes. Similarly, in fields such as art, science, or any creative endeavor, perfection is subjective and can vary from person to person. What may be considered perfect by one individual might not be the same for another.

Perfectionism, as a mindset, can be problematic because it often leads to excessive self-criticism, fear of failure, and an inability to take risks or make progress. It can hinder growth and innovation by imposing unrealistic standards that are impossible to achieve.

Instead of striving for perfection, a more balanced approach is to aim for excellence, continuous improvement, and personal growth. It is essential to embrace the process, learn from mistakes, and focus on progress rather than an unattainable notion of perfection.

What is the biggest illusion of life?

The biggest illusion of life is the belief that we have control over everything that happens to us.

What is paradox mindset?

The paradox mindset refers to a way of thinking that embraces the idea of holding seemingly contradictory or opposing perspectives simultaneously. It involves recognizing and accepting that life and situations are often complex and multifaceted, and that two seemingly conflicting ideas can coexist and contribute to a deeper understanding.

Perfectionism may seem like a noble pursuit, but it often turns into a burdensome trap that stifles growth and hinders our happiness. True fulfillment lies not in the pursuit of flawlessness, but in embracing our imperfections and finding the courage to move forward despite them.

Let us release the chains of perfectionism and instead celebrate the beauty of progress, for it is in our journey of growth that we find our true selves and discover the extraordinary potential within us.

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