--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think perfectionism is based on the…" description: "\"“I think perfectionism is based on the obsessive belief that if you run carefully enough, hitting each stepping-stone just right, you won't have to die..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/121/anne-lamott-188_faith_i-think-perfectionism-is-based-on-the-ob_16579.jpg" --- # I think perfectionism is based on the obsessive belief… ![“I think perfectionism is based on the obsessive belief that if you run carefully enough, hitting each stepping-stone just right, you won't have to die. The truth is that you will die anyway and that alot of people who aren't even looking at their feet are going to do a whole lot better than you…” quote by Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/121/anne-lamott-188_faith_i-think-perfectionism-is-based-on-the-ob_16579.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/121/anne-lamott-188_faith_i-think-perfectionism-is-based-on-the-ob_16579.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/121/anne-lamott-188_faith_i-think-perfectionism-is-based-on-the-ob_16579.jpg) > ““I think perfectionism is based on the obsessive belief that if you run carefully enough, hitting each stepping-stone just right, you won't have to die. The truth is that you will die anyway and that alot of people who aren't even looking at their feet are going to do a whole lot better than you, and have a lot more fun while they're doing it.”” [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Perfectionism is a futile illusion that distracts from living fully; embracing imperfection leads to better outcomes and enjoyment. **In simple terms:** Perfectionism hinders growth. Key Takeaway Accept imperfection. Themes Self‑acceptance Risk‑taking Mindfulness Life balance Resilience Mood Reflective Encouraging Type Motivational Philosophical When to use this quote - Creative projects - Career advancement - Personal relationships - Learning new skills Key Concepts Mortality Control illusion Joyful engagement Practical Applications - Adopt iterative work habits - Prioritize progress over polish Questions to Reflect On - What would change if you stopped fearing mistakes? - How can you measure success beyond flawless execution? A Different Perspective Some argue that high standards drive excellence, but they can also cause burnout and stifle innovation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Based Obsessive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/based-obsessive-383883/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Obsessive Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obsessive-belief-383882/) [Perfection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfection/) [Perfectionism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfectionism/) [Perfectionism Based](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfectionism-based-383881/) [Think Perfectionism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-perfectionism-383880/) ## Related quotes > [“I think perfectionism is based on the obsessive belief that if you run carefully enough, hitting each stepping-stone just right, you won’t have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/i-think-perfectionism-is-based-on-the-obsessive-belief-that-if-you-2/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [“Anne Lamott wrote, “Perfectionism is based on the obsessive belief that if you run carefully enough, hitting each stepping-stone just right, you won’t have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammy-rhodes/anne-lamott-wrote-perfectionism-is-based-on-the-obsessive-belief-that/) [Sammy Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammy-rhodes/) > [Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life, and it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/perfectionism-is-the-voice-of-the-oppressor-the-enemy-of-the-people-6/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [“Healthy striving is self-focused: How can I improve? Perfectionism is other-focused: What will they think? Perfectionism is a hustle.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/healthy-striving-is-self-focused-how-can-i-improve-perfectionism-is-2/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Many people think of perfectionism as striving to be your best, but it is not about self-improvement; it's about earning approval and acceptance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/many-people-think-of-perfectionism-as-striving-to-be-your-best-but-it/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [“Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/perfectionism-is-the-voice-of-the-oppressor-the-enemy-of-the-people/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor; the enemy of the people. It will keep you insane your whole life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/perfectionism-is-the-voice-of-the-oppressor-the-enemy-of-the-people-2/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [Oh, my God. What if you wake up some day, and you're 65 or 75, and you never got your novel or memoir written;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/oh-my-god-what-if-you-wake-up-some-day-and-you-re-65-or-75-and-you/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [“Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/perfectionism-is-the-voice-of-the-oppressor-the-enemy-of-the-people-3/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [Clutter and mess show us that life is being lived...Tidiness makes me think of held breath, of suspended animation... Perfectionism is a mean, frozen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/clutter-and-mess-show-us-that-life-is-being-lived-tidiness-makes-me/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/perfectionism-is-the-voice-of-the-oppressor/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [Clutter and mess show us that life is being lived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/clutter-and-mess-show-us-that-life-is-being-lived/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [Perfectionism is a mean, frozen form of idealism, while messes are the artist's true friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/perfectionism-is-a-mean-frozen-form-of-idealism-while-messes-are-the/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [“...but you have to remind yourself that perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/but-you-have-to-remind-yourself-that-perfectionism-is-the-voice-of/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [“Your day’s work might turn out to have been a mess. So what? Vonnegut said, “When I write, I feel like an armless legless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/your-day-s-work-might-turn-out-to-have-been-a-mess-so-what-vonnegut/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) ## More by Anne Lamott > [What an incredible drug fear is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/what-an-incredible-drug-fear-is/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [I guess he'll have to figure out someday that he is supposed to have this dark side, that it is part of what it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/i-guess-he-ll-have-to-figure-out-someday-that-he-is-supposed-to-have/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [It's funny where we look for salvation, and where we actually find it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/it-s-funny-where-we-look-for-salvation-and-where-we-actually-find-it/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [Why couldn't Jesus command us to obsess over everything, to try to control and manipulate people, to try not to breathe at all, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/why-couldn-t-jesus-command-us-to-obsess-over-everything-to-try-to/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [Publication is not all that it is cracked up to be. 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I'm so in the wrong business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/all-criticism-hurts-me-i-m-so-in-the-wrong-business/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [We are going to die, as is everyone we adore - I hate this! But the question is, how do we live as women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/we-are-going-to-die-as-is-everyone-we-adore-i-hate-this-but-the/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [“You will go through your life thinking there was a day in second grade that you must have missed, when the grown-ups came in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/you-will-go-through-your-life-thinking-there-was-a-day-in-second/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [“You begin to string words together like beads to tell a story. 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For You are a fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-catherine-of-siena/eternal-trinity-mystery-deep-as-the-sea-you-could-give-me-no-greater/) [St. Catherine of Siena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-catherine-of-siena/) > [Keep the faith, and keep going strong!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doreen-virtue/keep-the-faith-and-keep-going-strong/) [Doreen Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doreen-virtue/) > [It’s so important to create in your own voice, to hold onto what makes you unique, and have faith in your vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/it-s-so-important-to-create-in-your-own-voice-to-hold-onto-what-makes/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [Faith gives you a certain structure and meaning to your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riffat-hassan/faith-gives-you-a-certain-structure-and-meaning-to-your-life/) [Riffat Hassan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riffat-hassan/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. 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