--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Perfectionism is a shield that we carry…" description: "\"“Perfectionism is a shield that we carry with a thought process that says this, 'If I look perfect, live perfect, work perfect, and do it all perfectly..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97f/bren-brown-280_excellence_perfectionism-is-a-shield-that-we-carry_2511563.jpg" --- # Perfectionism is a shield that we carry with a thought… ![“Perfectionism is a shield that we carry with a thought process that says this, 'If I look perfect, live perfect, work perfect, and do it all perfectly, I can avoid or minimize feeling shame, blame, and judgement.” quote by Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97f/bren-brown-280_excellence_perfectionism-is-a-shield-that-we-carry_2511563.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97f/bren-brown-280_excellence_perfectionism-is-a-shield-that-we-carry_2511563.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97f/bren-brown-280_excellence_perfectionism-is-a-shield-that-we-carry_2511563.jpg) > ““Perfectionism is a shield that we carry with a thought process that says this, 'If I look perfect, live perfect, work perfect, and do it all perfectly, I can avoid or minimize feeling shame, blame, and judgement.”” [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) ## 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 used to avoid shame by demanding flawless performance in all areas. **In simple terms:** Perfectionism hides shame. Key Takeaway Accept imperfection to reduce shame. Themes vulnerability self‑acceptance shame perfectionism Mood reflective empathetic Type motivational self‑help When to use this quote - workplace - creative projects - personal relationships - self‑improvement Key Concepts self‑compassion psychology defense mechanisms Questions to Reflect On - How does striving for perfection affect your wellbeing? - What small steps can you take to embrace imperfection? A Different Perspective Perfectionism can also drive excellence; balance is needed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Excellence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellence/) [Live Perfect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/live-perfect-797498/) [Look Perfect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/look-perfect-268152/) [Perfect work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfect-work/) [Perfection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfection/) [Perfectionism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfectionism/) [Perfectionism Shield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfectionism-shield-1162321/) [Thought process](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thought-process/) ## Related quotes > [Strive for excellence, not perfection, because we don't live in a perfect world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/strive-for-excellence-not-perfection-because-we-don-t-live-in-a/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [“Like most people, I always thought of hope as an emotion—like a warm feeling of optimism and possibility. I was wrong. I was shocked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/like-most-people-i-always-thought-of-hope-as-an-emotion-like-a-warm/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Perfectionism is self destructive simply because there's no such thing as perfect. Perfection is an unattainable goal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/perfectionism-is-self-destructive-simply-because-there-s-no-such/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Understanding the difference between healthy striving and perfectionism is critical to laying down the shield and picking up your life. Research shows that perfectionism…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/understanding-the-difference-between-healthy-striving-and/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Perfectionism is a self destructive and addictive belief system that fuels this primary thought: If I look perfect, and do everything perfectly, I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/perfectionism-is-a-self-destructive-and-addictive-belief-system-that/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Perfectionism is a twenty-ton shield that we lug around thinking it will protect us when, in fact, it's the thing that's really preventing us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/perfectionism-is-a-twenty-ton-shield-that-we-lug-around-thinking-it/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [“Perfectionism is not the same thing has striving to be your best. Perfectionism is the belief that if we live perfect, look perfect, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/perfectionism-is-not-the-same-thing-has-striving-to-be-your-best/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [“I also see courage in myself when I'm willing to risk being vulnerable and disappointed. For many years, if I really wanted something to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/i-also-see-courage-in-myself-when-i-m-willing-to-risk-being/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Healthy striving is self-focused: "How can I improve", Perfectionism is other-focused:"What will they think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/healthy-striving-is-self-focused-how-can-i-improve-perfectionism-is/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [“As a recovering perfectionist and an aspiring good-enoughist, I’ve found it extremely helpful to bust some of the myths about perfectionism so that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/as-a-recovering-perfectionist-and-an-aspiring-good-enoughist-i-ve/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Let go of who you think you're supposed to be and embrace who you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/let-go-of-who-you-think-you-re-supposed-to-be-and-embrace-who-you-are/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [“Perfectionism hampers success. In fact, it’s often the path to depression, anxiety, addiction, and life-paralysis.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/perfectionism-hampers-success-in-fact-it-s-often-the-path-to/) [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/) > [Everything that these folks are saying that they're trying to move away from, like comparison, perfectionism, judgement, and exhaustion as a status symbol -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/everything-that-these-folks-are-saying-that-they-re-trying-to-move/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Perfectionism is self-destructive simply because there is no such thing as perfect. Perfection is an unattainable goal. Additionally, perfectionism is more about perception -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/perfectionism-is-self-destructive-simply-because-there-is-no-such/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) ## More by Brené Brown > [We're raising children who have little tolerance for disappointment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/we-re-raising-children-who-have-little-tolerance-for-disappointment/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [“always put off writing by reorganizing my entire house and spending way too much time and money buying office supplies and organizing systems. Every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/always-put-off-writing-by-reorganizing-my-entire-house-and-spending/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [When you ask people about love, they tell you about heartbreak.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/when-you-ask-people-about-love-they-tell-you-about-heartbreak/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [“I can recognize shame when it’s happening.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/i-can-recognize-shame-when-it-s-happening/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [I carry a small sheet of paper in my wallet that has written on it the names of people whose opinions of me matter.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/i-carry-a-small-sheet-of-paper-in-my-wallet-that-has-written-on-it/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/courage-starts-with-showing-up-and-letting-ourselves-be-seen/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Waking up every day and loving someone who may or may not love us back, whose safety we can't ensure, who may stay in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/waking-up-every-day-and-loving-someone-who-may-or-may-not-love-us/) [Brene Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [“No matter how separated we are by what we think and believe, we are part of the same spiritual story.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/no-matter-how-separated-we-are-by-what-we-think-and-believe-we-are/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Perfectionism is self-destructive simply because there is no such thing as perfect. Perfection is an unattainable goal. Additionally, perfectionism is more about perception -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/perfectionism-is-self-destructive-simply-because-there-is-no-such/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Shame corrodes the very part of us that believes we are capable of change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/shame-corrodes-the-very-part-of-us-that-believes-we-are-capable-of/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [If you're also in the arena and you're putting your ideas out and you're owning them and you're saying "I disagree with you about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/if-you-re-also-in-the-arena-and-you-re-putting-your-ideas-out-and-you/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [“I found that men and women with high levels of shame resilience share these four elements: They understand shame and recognize what messages and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/i-found-that-men-and-women-with-high-levels-of-shame-resilience-share/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Connection gives purpose and meaning to our lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/connection-gives-purpose-and-meaning-to-our-lives/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [“But here’s the tricky part about compassion and connecting: We can’t call just anyone. It’s not that simple. I have a lot of good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/but-here-s-the-tricky-part-about-compassion-and-connecting-we-can-t/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [“It turns out to be the place of true belonging, and it's the bravest and most sacred place you'll stand.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/it-turns-out-to-be-the-place-of-true-belonging-and-it-s-the-bravest/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) [Explore all 759 Brené Brown quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) ## More Excellence quotes > [Imperfections are what make you perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-tell/imperfections-are-what-make-you-perfect/) [Nia Tellé](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-tell/) > [The pursuit of perfection is frustrating and a waste of time, because nothing is ever perfect. The pursuit of excellence is commendable and worthwhile.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-kulwicki/the-pursuit-of-perfection-is-frustrating-and-a-waste-of-time-because/) [Alan Kulwicki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-kulwicki/) > [“But young men have not only this frivolous ambition of being thought masters of execution, inciting them on the one hand, but also their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-young-men-have-not-only-this-frivolous-ambition-of-being-thought/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Many humanists have argued that happiness involves a combination of hedonism and creative moral development; that an exuberant life fuses excellence and enjoyment, meaning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kurtz/many-humanists-have-argued-that-happiness-involves-a-combination-of/) [Paul Kurtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kurtz/) > [You learn a lot from quality players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marouane-fellaini/you-learn-a-lot-from-quality-players/) [Marouane Fellaini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marouane-fellaini/) > [Our civilization, bequeathed to us by fierce adventurers, eaters of meat and hunters, is so full of hurry and combat, so busy about many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/our-civilization-bequeathed-to-us-by-fierce-adventurers-eaters-of/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [“In your goals to go the extra mile, prepare to pay an extra cost. Excellence is to be exceptional, surpassing, more competent and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/in-your-goals-to-go-the-extra-mile-prepare-to-pay-an-extra-cost/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [We want to promote the great quality of athletics - and maintain it's integrity - all over the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alberto-juantorena/we-want-to-promote-the-great-quality-of-athletics-and-maintain-it-s/) [Alberto Juantorena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alberto-juantorena/) > [“Anytime I see a rainbow, what comes into my mind is how skillful and talented someone was to create an ark that didn't leak…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/anytime-i-see-a-rainbow-what-comes-into-my-mind-is-how-skillful-and/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [If you are the master be sometimes blind, if you are the servant be sometimes deaf.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-buckminster-fuller/if-you-are-the-master-be-sometimes-blind-if-you-are-the-servant-be/) [R. Buckminster Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-buckminster-fuller/) > [We may be masters of our every lot By bearing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virgil/we-may-be-masters-of-our-every-lot-by-bearing-it/) [Virgil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virgil/) > [Quality means doing it right when no one is looking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ford/quality-means-doing-it-right-when-no-one-is-looking/) [Henry Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ford/) > [We cannot all be masters, nor all masters Cannot be truly followed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/we-cannot-all-be-masters-nor-all-masters-cannot-be-truly-followed/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Leadership, pure and simple, is the assumption of responsibility for the pursuit of excellence in group life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-selznick/leadership-pure-and-simple-is-the-assumption-of-responsibility-for/) [Philip Selznick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-selznick/) > [The basis of all excellence is truth: he that professes love ought to feel its power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-basis-of-all-excellence-is-truth-he-that-professes-love-ought-to/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) [Browse all 4,187 Excellence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Perfectionism is a shield that we carry with a thought process that says this, 'If I look perfect, live perfect, work perfect, and do it all perfectly, I can avoid or minimize feeling shame, blame, and judgement.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Brené Brown" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/perfectionism-is-a-shield-that-we-carry-with-a-thought-process-that/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Excellence" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/perfectionism-is-a-shield-that-we-carry-with-a-thought-process-that/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97f/bren-brown-280_excellence_perfectionism-is-a-shield-that-we-carry_2511563.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97f/bren-brown-280_excellence_perfectionism-is-a-shield-that-we-carry_2511563.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97f/bren-brown-280_excellence_perfectionism-is-a-shield-that-we-carry_2511563.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Perfectionism is a shield that we carry with a thought process that says this, 'If I look perfect, live…” — Brené Brown", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Brené Brown", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Perfectionism is a shield that we...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/perfectionism-is-a-shield-that-we-carry-with-a-thought-process-that/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/perfectionism-is-a-shield-that-we-carry-with-a-thought-process-that/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```