November Newsletter Main Article
Perfectionism is a common trait in gifted people. It can result in some
challenging behaviors.
• Mood Swings – elated when meeting goals, very self critical when not
• Numbers Game – quantity of successes is more important than what the
successes each mean
• Telescopic Thinking – looking too far into the future and emphasizing goals
not yet achieved while trivializing past successes
• Focus on the Future – instead of enjoying the moment, worrying about what
comes next
• Pining Over the Past – replaying mistakes, “If I only had done...”
• Getting it Right – repeating a task or assignment until it is perfect
•All or Nothing – if I can’t be the best or do it right, I won’t do it at all
Strategies for mitigating perfectionism:
• Model acceptance of mistakes and what can be learned from them.
• Share the failures, trials and successes of famous people.
• Celebrate outstanding effort, a challenging process and persistence in
addition to the final successes.
• Encourage activities that don’t mandate winners and losers.
• Have clear guidelines, rules or expectations.
• Talk and visualize any time there is a change in routine or expectations.
• Encourage students to reflect on their performance and effort.
• Reinforce that criticism of the product is not the same criticism of the person.
