--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm a perfectionist, to the point of…" description: "\"I'm a perfectionist, to the point of insanity.\" — Tom Ford" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8a/tom-ford-1301_excellence_i-m-a-perfectionist-to-the-point-of-insa_787364.png" --- # I'm a perfectionist, to the point of insanity. ![“I'm a perfectionist, to the point of insanity.” quote by Tom Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8a/tom-ford-1301_excellence_i-m-a-perfectionist-to-the-point-of-insa_787364.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8a/tom-ford-1301_excellence_i-m-a-perfectionist-to-the-point-of-insa_787364.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8a/tom-ford-1301_excellence_i-m-a-perfectionist-to-the-point-of-insa_787364.png) > “I'm a perfectionist, to the point of insanity.” [Tom Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-ford/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker admits their pursuit of perfection has become extreme, bordering on irrationality. **In simple terms:** Perfectionism can become unhealthy. Key Takeaway Balance ambition with sanity. Themes perfectionism mental health creativity Mood cautious introspective Type advice psychological When to use this quote - creative work - personal development - stress management Key Concepts obsession self‑criticism Questions to Reflect On - When does striving for excellence become harmful? - How can you set realistic standards? A Different Perspective Extreme perfectionism may hinder productivity and well‑being. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Excellence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/excellence/) [Insanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/insanity/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Perfectionist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfectionist/) ## Related quotes > [“Do you know to what a point of insanity a woman can sometimes love?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crime-and-punishment-fyodor-dostoevsky/do-you-know-to-what-a-point-of-insanity-a-woman-can-sometimes-love/) [Crime and Punishment; Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crime-and-punishment-fyodor-dostoevsky/) > [“The manic relief that comes from the fantasy that we can with one savage slash cut the chains of the past and rise like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefan-molyneux/the-manic-relief-that-comes-from-the-fantasy-that-we-can-with-one/) [Stefan Molyneux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefan-molyneux/) > [I am a perfectionist. This job is a total ego thing in a way. To be a designer and say, 'This is the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-ford/i-am-a-perfectionist-this-job-is-a-total-ego-thing-in-a-way-to-be-a/) [Tom Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-ford/) > [Perfectionists demand perfection from themselves first and foremost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/perfectionists-demand-perfection-from-themselves-first-and-foremost/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [I'm not a perfectionist by a long shot, but self-doubt is a large part of my creative process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-fullerton-whitman/i-m-not-a-perfectionist-by-a-long-shot-but-self-doubt-is-a-large-part/) [Keith Fullerton Whitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-fullerton-whitman/) > [A diva is someone who is a perfectionist, who does her best in her craft.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-labelle/a-diva-is-someone-who-is-a-perfectionist-who-does-her-best-in-her/) [Patti LaBelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-labelle/) > [I'm a perfectionist about being on time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tammin-sursok/i-m-a-perfectionist-about-being-on-time/) [Tammin Sursok](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tammin-sursok/) > [I never considered Miles Davis a perfectionist; I always considered him as an excellence-ist, where deviation is actually kind of cool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-trotter/i-never-considered-miles-davis-a-perfectionist-i-always-considered/) [Charlie Trotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-trotter/) > [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/) > [I'm a perfectionist; there's always something we need to improve upon, and I think that's a really healthy model for artistic growth and progressing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-angelakos/i-m-a-perfectionist-there-s-always-something-we-need-to-improve-upon/) [Michael Angelakos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-angelakos/) > [I'm afraid I'm a complete workaholic perfectionist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-miller/i-m-afraid-i-m-a-complete-workaholic-perfectionist/) [Gina Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-miller/) > [I'm a better cook and more of a perfectionist than my mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-stewart/i-m-a-better-cook-and-more-of-a-perfectionist-than-my-mother/) [Alexis Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-stewart/) > [A perfectionist? That's part of my job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pep-guardiola/a-perfectionist-that-s-part-of-my-job/) [Pep Guardiola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pep-guardiola/) > [“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/) > [I am a perfectionist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-am-a-perfectionist/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Tom Ford > [Anyone with a long-term partner, anyone with a long-term lover, if that lover dies, you could easily see yourself in a situation where you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-ford/anyone-with-a-long-term-partner-anyone-with-a-long-term-lover-if-that/) [Tom Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-ford/) > [A lot of the things I did - it's not going to sound anything but egotistical - if I'm lucky and I did the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-ford/a-lot-of-the-things-i-did-it-s-not-going-to-sound-anything-but/) [Tom Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-ford/) > [I'm a very serious person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-ford/i-m-a-very-serious-person/) [Tom Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-ford/) > [Fashion is, after all, a form of escapism, and in fact people are buying more special things than ever, nowadays. They deny and deny…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-ford/fashion-is-after-all-a-form-of-escapism-and-in-fact-people-are-buying/) [Tom Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-ford/) > [Perfection is almost an illness with me, but sometimes I have moments where everything is absolutely clear and you can feel, rather than think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-ford/perfection-is-almost-an-illness-with-me-but-sometimes-i-have-moments/) [Tom Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-ford/) > [I went through some tough times because if you're used to having a voice in contemporary culture and all of sudden, you don't have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-ford/i-went-through-some-tough-times-because-if-you-re-used-to-having-a/) [Tom Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-ford/) > [British men are peacocks. You see a lot more style on the streets here than you see anywhere else, on every level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-ford/british-men-are-peacocks-you-see-a-lot-more-style-on-the-streets-here/) [Tom Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-ford/) > [We do objectify women in our culture. We're starting to objectify men a little bit more. And there is nothing wrong with that. Objectify…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-ford/we-do-objectify-women-in-our-culture-we-re-starting-to-objectify-men/) [Tom Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-ford/) > [Never, ever, ever wear anything you are uncomfortable in. Because that is what you'll project: 'I look like a fool.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-ford/never-ever-ever-wear-anything-you-are-uncomfortable-in-because-that/) [Tom Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-ford/) > [ I think what's important for myself and anyone else who wants to create a film, or art, is \[to\] make sure that they have… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-ford/i-think-what-s-important-for-myself-and-anyone-else-who-wants-to/) [Tom Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-ford/) > [At home, off-duty, I wear T-shirts from Fruit of the Loom - but I have them tailored.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-ford/at-home-off-duty-i-wear-t-shirts-from-fruit-of-the-loom-but-i-have/) [Tom Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-ford/) > [A man should never wear shorts in the city. Flip-flops and shorts in the city are never appropriate. Shorts should only be worn on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-ford/a-man-should-never-wear-shorts-in-the-city-flip-flops-and-shorts-in/) [Tom Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-ford/) > [Want girls to let you put your fingers in certain places? Get a manicure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-ford/want-girls-to-let-you-put-your-fingers-in-certain-places-get-a/) [Tom Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-ford/) > [Banking types should take their cue from Gordon Gekko. Or pick the best-looking banker in their firm and copy him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-ford/banking-types-should-take-their-cue-from-gordon-gekko-or-pick-the/) [Tom Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-ford/) > [Only hire people you want to have dinner with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-ford/only-hire-people-you-want-to-have-dinner-with/) [Tom Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-ford/) [Explore all 260 Tom Ford quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-ford/) ## 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'm a perfectionist, to the point of insanity.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tom Ford" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-ford/i-m-a-perfectionist-to-the-point-of-insanity/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Excellence" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-ford/i-m-a-perfectionist-to-the-point-of-insanity/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8a/tom-ford-1301_excellence_i-m-a-perfectionist-to-the-point-of-insa_787364.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8a/tom-ford-1301_excellence_i-m-a-perfectionist-to-the-point-of-insa_787364.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e8a/tom-ford-1301_excellence_i-m-a-perfectionist-to-the-point-of-insa_787364.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I'm a perfectionist, to the point of insanity.” — Tom Ford", "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": "Tom Ford", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-ford/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I'm a perfectionist, to the point...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-ford/i-m-a-perfectionist-to-the-point-of-insanity/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-ford/i-m-a-perfectionist-to-the-point-of-insanity/#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 } } ] } ```