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Point One: The Perfectionist
Worldview
The world is an imperfect place. I work toward improvement.
What helps Perfectionists
- Notice when compulsive thinking or doing takes over. Schedule free
time so that real priorities can surface.
- Question severe internal standards. Question the rules. Settle for
adequacy rather than insisting on perfection.
- Avoid turning insight into self-attack, "How could I have been
so wrong?"
- Get a reality check. When it seems that others are silently judging,
check this out with the people involved.
- Get factual information to eliminate unnecessary worry.
- Notice when One-Right-Way thinking limits options and fair compromises.
- Learn to pay attention to the merit of other value systems.
- Focus on forgiveness:"That was then and this is now."
- Learn to request and receive pleasure.
- Question the difference between "should" statements and
"want"
statements.
- Use resentful feelings ("It's not fair," "They're getting
away with something") as a clue to what is desirable.
- Recognize your own anger signals: putting on a happy face while feeling
inwardly angry; polite words in a critically sharp voice; a smile and a
rigid body.
- Weekends away. A One away from home can relax.
Helen Palmer
The Pocket Enneagram:
Understanding the 9 Types of People
Harper & Row, 1988, 90 pages
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