In my practice, I see many high-achievers—lawyers and law students, physicians, bureaucrats with high-level security clearances, tenured academics, college students completing dual majors while undertaking impressive internships, economists, research scientists, Hill staffers. But in spite of their academic and professional successes, they often lack confidence in their abilities. When they have to complete a project, anxiety overwhelms them. They may avoid getting started or take so long to write even a simple email that they’re not as productive or efficient as they’d like to be. Or they may complete their work but then spend hours doubting its quality.

If any of this sounds familiar to you, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you set very high standards for yourself and/or others?
• Do you stick with a task long after everyone else has quit because you have to get it right?
• Do you find fault with yourself and/or others?
• Do you frequently doubt yourself and have trouble making decisions?
• Do you keep problems to yourself because you’re afraid others will judge you for not having it all together?
• Do you beat yourself up if you make a mistake?
• Do you ever avoid trying a new sport or other activity because you might not be good at it?
• Do people ever say you’re too hard on yourself?
• Do you have trouble with procrastination?
• Do you frequently compare yourself to others and come up short?
• Do you always think about how you could have done better even when you’ve accomplished a goal?
• If you meet one of your goals, do you feel little satisfaction because you’ve already set a newer, more challenging goal for yourself?
• Are thoughts about achieving and achievement in important areas of your life (such as at work, in academic endeavors, or in sports or the arts) always on your mind?
• Do you evaluate your self-worth on the basis of your achievements?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, perfectionism may be causing problems for you.

In my next post, I’ll explain why.