Type B Perfectionist: Understanding and Overcoming Perfectionism

I explored the Type A perfectionist in my previous blog post here, and now I’d like to take a peek at the other side of the coin—Type B perfectionism. This is the side I know all too well. As a Type B perfectionist myself, I often find myself wishing I had the Type A perfectionist drive.

Type A individuals are highly productive, high-functioning members of society. Yes, it comes at a cost, and I know it’s not easy, but sometimes, I just wish this frozen feeling would go away so I could finally start creating. That’s the frustrating part of being a Type B perfectionist—the constant battle between perfectionism and procrastination. That said, both Type A and Type B perfectionists struggle with the same unrealistic desire for perfection. We just manifest it differently.

5 Common Behaviors I see in my Type B Perfectionist Clients

I’ve been working on my Type B perfectionist tendencies for a while now. As a life coach, I help clients navigate similar struggles without falling into the usual traps. And truth be told, every coaching session teaches me something about myself too.

Here are five common perfectionist behaviors I see in my Type B perfectionist clients:

1. Procrastination is their biggest struggle. It feels like they’re stuck pressing a giant, invisible snooze button every time they remember an important task.

2. Like Type A perfectionists, they are highly self-critical. Feeling satisfied with their efforts? Rarely happens.

3. Starting a task requires immense effort, and once they do, they quickly get distracted if they realize it won’t turn out perfectly.

4. They rely on mindless activities like scrolling social media or binge-watching TV as a form of avoidance.

5. They engage in passive productivity—watching YouTube tutorials, listening to self-improvement podcasts, or researching endlessly instead of actually doing the work.

4 Strategies to Overcome Type B Perfectionism

If you resonate with Type B perfectionism, here are some practical strategies to break free from procrastination and perfectionism paralysis:

1. Recognize Procrastination as a Coping Mechanism Procrastination often serves as self-protection from criticism. It’s a way to stay “safe,” but at

what cost? Recognizing this pattern is the first step toward overcoming it.

2. Use a Timer to Stay Focused

Unlike a Type A perfectionist who sets a timer to stop working because they won’t stop till a task is done “perfectly”, a Type B perfectionist benefits from a work timer to stay engaged. Aim for progress over perfection—set a Pomodoro timer (25 minutes of work, 5-minute break) or your modified pomodoro (i.e 10 min work, 5 minute break) to start small and build consistency.

3. Set Time Limits on Tasks

Decide in advance how long you will work on a project and commit to stopping once that time is

up. Type B Perfectionists end up working on a project for a long time, including the procrastination and they can benefit from the reminder of “done is better than perfect.”

4. Prioritize One or Two Tasks Per Day

Focus on just one or two essential tasks rather than overwhelming yourself with a long to-do list. Ask yourself: If I could only accomplish one thing today, what would it be?

5. Define Your Own Productivity Metrics

Stop comparing yourself to productivity influencers or YouTube gurus. Define your own standards and stick to them. Who says you must go for an hour-long walk? Make it 10 minutes if that helps you get your walking in. If you want to dive deeper into this specific one, check out my blog post “Who came up with these secret rules?” here.

6. Embrace the 80/20 Rule

I have a twist on the 80/20 rule: Expect that only 80% of your tasks will get done, and that’s okay. You are allowed to feel unmotivated, hit the snooze button, scroll or whatever for 20% of the time in a given week. 100% completion is possible but unsustainable—and perfectionists often weaponize it against themselves.

• Accepting 80% as enough can be freeing.

• Journaling Prompts for Type B Perfectionists

• Journaling is a powerful tool for self-awareness and overcoming perfectionism.

Take a deep breath and explore these questions:

● How do I define perfection?

● Why am I chasing perfection?

● How do I feel when I procrastinate on something important?

● How do I feel when I’m mindlessly scrolling instead of working?

● Who would I be if I stopped striving for perfection?

● What would happen if I let people criticize my work?

● Whose criticism should I disregard?

● Whose feedback should I seek and value?

Want to Share your Story with me? Let’s Talk!

I work with clients to explore their perfectionist tendencies and create personalized strategies for breaking free from procrastination paralysis. If this resonated with you, I’d love to help you dive deeper.

Book a coaching session here—I’d be thrilled to get a peek at how your unique mind works!

Xoxo,

Busra