--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've learned how my own perfectionism can…" description: "\"I've learned how my own perfectionism can cripple me.\" — Jennifer Nettles" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f60/jennifer-nettles-12253_excellence_i-ve-learned-how-my-own-perfectionism-ca_751923.png" --- # I've learned how my own perfectionism can cripple me. ![“I've learned how my own perfectionism can cripple me.” quote by Jennifer Nettles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f60/jennifer-nettles-12253_excellence_i-ve-learned-how-my-own-perfectionism-ca_751923.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f60/jennifer-nettles-12253_excellence_i-ve-learned-how-my-own-perfectionism-ca_751923.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f60/jennifer-nettles-12253_excellence_i-ve-learned-how-my-own-perfectionism-ca_751923.png) > “I've learned how my own perfectionism can cripple me.” [Jennifer Nettles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-nettles/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Perfectionism can become a self‑sabotaging force that hinders progress and wellbeing. **In simple terms:** Perfectionism can hurt you. Key Takeaway Recognize limits, accept imperfection. Themes self‑criticism mental health growth Mood anxious reflective Type motivational self‑help When to use this quote - career projects - personal relationships - creative work - health habits Key Concepts psychology self‑compassion Questions to Reflect On - How does your perfectionism affect your daily life? - What small imperfection can you embrace today? A Different Perspective Perfectionism may also drive high standards that yield excellence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Excellence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellence/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Perfectionism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfectionism/) [Perfectionist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfectionist/) ## Related quotes > [Perfectionism is really a challenge for me, and it causes me to be super-critical of myself in so many ways: about body image constantly;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-nettles/perfectionism-is-really-a-challenge-for-me-and-it-causes-me-to-be/) [Jennifer Nettles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-nettles/) > [“Perfection may not be possible, but striving for excellence is.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-sonnenberg/perfection-may-not-be-possible-but-striving-for-excellence-is/) [Frank Sonnenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-sonnenberg/) > [All of us failed to match our dreams of perfection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-faulkner/all-of-us-failed-to-match-our-dreams-of-perfection/) [William Faulkner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-faulkner/) > [“It is common to come across a perfectionist at work. Life is not that tough if you have a perfectionist sub-ordinate; life is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-ratna/it-is-common-to-come-across-a-perfectionist-at-work-life-is-not-that/) [Abhishek Ratna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-ratna/) > [“Perfectionists will choose activities that are low risk that they can do well right now instead of working on big projects because they will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richie-norton/perfectionists-will-choose-activities-that-are-low-risk-that-they-can/) [Richie Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richie-norton/) > [I have to say that I've always believed perfectionism is more of a disease than a quality. I do try to go with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rowan-atkinson/i-have-to-say-that-i-ve-always-believed-perfectionism-is-more-of-a/) [Rowan Atkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rowan-atkinson/) > [Anything worth doing is worth doing well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/anything-worth-doing-is-worth-doing-well/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [“Find the perfection in every moment instead of trying to make every moment perfect.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnalynn-civello/find-the-perfection-in-every-moment-instead-of-trying-to-make-every/) Donnalynn Civello > [“From the point of view of a perfectionist, it’s a frustrating lifestyle.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-d-edwards/from-the-point-of-view-of-a-perfectionist-it-s-a-frustrating-lifestyle/) Stephen D. Edwards > [“The problem was that I carried around with me a tendency to feel that other people’s respect for me would vanish if what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cleese/the-problem-was-that-i-carried-around-with-me-a-tendency-to-feel-that/) [John Cleese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cleese/) > [“Living as a perfectionist means thinking and living in “black and white” – there are no grey areas. You are either perfect with your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-skelly/living-as-a-perfectionist-means-thinking-and-living-in-black-and/) Samantha Skelly > [“Q: When is the perfect time? A: Who can say, but probably somewhere between haste and delay - and it's usually most wise to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rasheed-ogunlaru/q-when-is-the-perfect-time-a-who-can-say-but-probably-somewhere/) [Rasheed Ogunlaru](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rasheed-ogunlaru/) > [Ring the bells that still can ring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-cohen/ring-the-bells-that-still-can-ring/) [Leonard Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-cohen/) > [If you are a real perfectionist, you can't finish any job! We, the mortals, we don't have enough time to be perfectionist! Perfectionism is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/if-you-are-a-real-perfectionist-you-can-t-finish-any-job-we-the/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Fuck you perfectionism. Without you, I am brilliant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/fuck-you-perfectionism-without-you-i-am-brilliant/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Jennifer Nettles > [If I go way back to Loretta Lynn, I always cite her as being able to capture what I think is every woman's story...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-nettles/if-i-go-way-back-to-loretta-lynn-i-always-cite-her-as-being-able-to/) [Jennifer Nettles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-nettles/) > [The whole impetus behind going solo was an artistic inspiration in the sense that, obviously, success is fantastic. But as one becomes successful and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-nettles/the-whole-impetus-behind-going-solo-was-an-artistic-inspiration-in/) [Jennifer Nettles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-nettles/) > [Perfectionism is really a challenge for me, and it causes me to be super-critical of myself in so many ways: about body image constantly;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-nettles/perfectionism-is-really-a-challenge-for-me-and-it-causes-me-to-be/) [Jennifer Nettles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-nettles/) > [I think you have to go and fill your cup and do so diversely; otherwise, then you burn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-nettles/i-think-you-have-to-go-and-fill-your-cup-and-do-so-diversely/) [Jennifer Nettles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-nettles/) > [I have a sweet tooth the size of Connecticut. It's a problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-nettles/i-have-a-sweet-tooth-the-size-of-connecticut-it-s-a-problem/) [Jennifer Nettles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-nettles/) > [I feel very grateful that I have never had to be or ever chosen to be or accidentally found myself to be in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-nettles/i-feel-very-grateful-that-i-have-never-had-to-be-or-ever-chosen-to-be/) [Jennifer Nettles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-nettles/) > [When we were at the CMT Awards this year, Robert Plant was there. What an icon, I love him... But I can't go up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-nettles/when-we-were-at-the-cmt-awards-this-year-robert-plant-was-there-what/) [Jennifer Nettles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-nettles/) > [It's important to have an examined life - but it's a fine line between having an examined life and being hypercritical of oneself. There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-nettles/it-s-important-to-have-an-examined-life-but-it-s-a-fine-line-between/) [Jennifer Nettles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-nettles/) > [Music is so much more than what you wear and your hair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-nettles/music-is-so-much-more-than-what-you-wear-and-your-hair/) [Jennifer Nettles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-nettles/) > [Salt water is cleansing, be it sweat, the ocean, or tears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-nettles/salt-water-is-cleansing-be-it-sweat-the-ocean-or-tears/) [Jennifer Nettles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-nettles/) > [I definitely think that, for a woman, the biggest turn-on is the mind. Otherwise, obviously you want someone who keeps up with himself and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-nettles/i-definitely-think-that-for-a-woman-the-biggest-turn-on-is-the-mind/) [Jennifer Nettles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-nettles/) > [Less is more! I don't wear makeup if I don't have to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-nettles/less-is-more-i-don-t-wear-makeup-if-i-don-t-have-to/) [Jennifer Nettles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-nettles/) > [The fun thing about 'Chicago' is that there's so much dance and, very specifically, Roxie. So you might see a little bit of Roxie…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-nettles/the-fun-thing-about-chicago-is-that-there-s-so-much-dance-and-very/) [Jennifer Nettles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-nettles/) > [Having spent time on the Broadway stage definitely helps one's confidence in terms of feeling just validated in that world. Most people only know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-nettles/having-spent-time-on-the-broadway-stage-definitely-helps-one-s/) [Jennifer Nettles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-nettles/) > [One thing I know for sure - this motherhood thing is not for sissies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-nettles/one-thing-i-know-for-sure-this-motherhood-thing-is-not-for-sissies/) [Jennifer Nettles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-nettles/) [Explore all 55 Jennifer Nettles quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-nettles/) ## 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 > [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": "I've learned how my own perfectionism can cripple me.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jennifer Nettles" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-nettles/i-ve-learned-how-my-own-perfectionism-can-cripple-me/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Excellence" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-nettles/i-ve-learned-how-my-own-perfectionism-can-cripple-me/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f60/jennifer-nettles-12253_excellence_i-ve-learned-how-my-own-perfectionism-ca_751923.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f60/jennifer-nettles-12253_excellence_i-ve-learned-how-my-own-perfectionism-ca_751923.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f60/jennifer-nettles-12253_excellence_i-ve-learned-how-my-own-perfectionism-ca_751923.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I've learned how my own perfectionism can cripple me.” — Jennifer Nettles", "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": "Jennifer Nettles", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-nettles/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I've learned how my own perfectionism...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-nettles/i-ve-learned-how-my-own-perfectionism-can-cripple-me/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-nettles/i-ve-learned-how-my-own-perfectionism-can-cripple-me/#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 } } ] } ```