There is a difference between striving for excellence and striving for perfection. The first is attainable, gratifying and healthy. The second is unattainable and frustrating.

Perfectionism is exhausting and it is not what good organization is all about. Good organization has to do with making things "sufficient to the need" while perfectionism is, by definition, "excessive to the need."

Perfectionism can lead to procrastination. Ask yourself this question if you suspect perfectionism is rearing its ugly head: "Is the amount of time and effort I'm putting into this task warranted by the potential payoff?"

If the answer is "No," then readjust your goals. Bring your efforts and the payoff into alignment.

• Added: February 06, 2000

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