Perfectionist?

Last night we had a couple of families over for dinner. After we ate, I asked one of the ladies to answer a piano composition question for me. During the course of my tutorial, she said I was a perfectionist. Upon that comment being made, my other friend entered and started agreeing with her and started giving examples of how I would fit that profile. I was embarrassed and tried to deny these claims.

I have never thought of myself as a perfectionist. I lived my childhood with a perfectionist and it wasn't fun. To me, it elicits a negative connotation. The mantra in my home growing up was, "If you can't do something right, then don't do anything at all." Which to me means, do it my way, or don't do it; my perceived slogan of a perfectionist. Am I really seen by others with this attitude?

Unfortunately, the more I thought about it, the more I see truth in my friends words. I do demand perfection of myself. I want to be the best I can. But to me that is a good desire.

On the downside, I now see how my desire for perfection has rolled over to my children in how I expect them to behave. This has greatly strained my relationship with Rylee. She is so full of energy and I can't "control" her so I am constantly frustrated. Now that I see and understand that, I see that my friends did me a huge favor. They pointed out a flaw, though they meant it as a compliment, and have helped me realize how I need to change.

And it's all because I'm a perfectionist.