5 Signs of Perfectionism for Each Enneagram Type

There is a stereotype that Type 1s are the perfectionists of the Enneagram. But, in reality, any Type can struggle with perfectionism.

Striving for your best and working hard can be healthy. That’s not the same as perfectionism, though. Perfectionism is when you are striving for flawlessness. Although perfectionists might think that it’s a helpful trait, it can actually work to cause you to achieve less. Striving for perfectionism can actually keep you from achieving your best because you are too focused on an unattainable goal instead of doing your best.

Perfectionism can also lead to unhealthy mental states and higher levels of stress. As explained by VeryWell Mind:

The stress caused by this level of perfectionism can lead to feelings of anxiety and has been linked to outcomes such as low self-esteem, eating disorders, sleep disturbances, and psychological distress

If you think you might be a perfectionist, take a look at the following lists for each Enneagram Type. These traits might be displayed by any type, the ones listed for each Type are particularly applicable to that Type.

Enneagram Type 1

Here are 5 signs of perfectionism for Enneagram Type 1s:

You have unrealistic standards
You are obsessed with lists and rules
You expect perfection from not only yourself, but also from others
You have a very specific manner in which you believe things should be done
You struggle to relax and share you feelings.

Enneagram Type 2

Here are 5 signs of perfectionism for Enneagram Type 2s:

You are unusually hard on yourself
You can’t celebrate your successes
You can only concentrate if everything is in its proper spot
You struggle with low self-esteem
You regularly procrastinate on projects

Enneagram Type 3

Here are 5 signs of perfectionism for Enneagram Type 3s:

You are singularly focused on results
You really hate waste and inefficiency
You avoid doing things because you are afraid that you might fail
Success is never enough; you always want more
You always insist on looking put together

Enneagram Type 4

Here are a few signs of perfectionism for Enneagram Type 4s:

You may become depressed when your goals aren’t met
You think you mistakes are proof that you are inadequate
You become defensive if approached with constructive criticism
You procrastinate on tasks
You become apathetic about your work

Enneagram Type 5

Here are 5 signs of perfectionism for Enneagram Type 5s:

You are pushed toward your goals because you fear not reaching them
You don’t share any of your ideas until you believe that they are ready
You invest energy into masking your flaws
You spend long amount of time just to perfect something
You are dependent on lists

Enneagram Type 6

Here are a few signs of perfectionism for Enneagram Type 6s:

You set very high standards for yourself
Your quest for perfection leads to a decline in your mental health
It’s really hard for you to truly relax
You engage in a all-or-nothing thinking
You struggle to make decisions on your own because you worry they will be wrong

Enneagram Type 7

Here are 5 signs of perfectionism for Enneagram Type 7s:

You set unrealistic standards for your happiness
You struggle with decision making because you worry it won’t be right
You aren’t satisfied with your current life
You are not happy with the successes you do achieve
You feel like you fail at everything

Enneagram Type 8

Here are a few signs of perfectionism for Type 8s:

You expect others to meet your standards
You are very confident that you know the “right” way
You spot mistakes that others do not see
You set unreasonably high standards for yourself
You are controlling in your personal and professional relationships

Enneagram Type 9

Here are a few signs of perfectionism for Type 9s:

You often wait for the “right” moment to start something
You struggle to complete tasks on time
You can’t concentrate if your environment isn’t just right
You worry so much about doing something right that you don’t do it at all
You fells like your “failures” worse than other people’s failures