Ahhhhh, Perfectionism!

- Capt. Bill Pike

I had an interesting talk recently with a good friend of mine, Pat, who owns a small construction company specializing in fine carpentry. Pat’s about my age, maybe a bit younger, and has been in the carpentry biz for more than three decades. We were talking about getting stuff “just right,” i.e., in total accord with a given individual’s take on things. You know, what you might call the perfectionism syndrome.

“Of course,” Pat said, “perfection is not really obtainable. It’s something you shoot for.”

“Yeah,” I replied, getting slightly defensive. “But I gotta admit I’m just a little perfectionistic about my boat. I mean, everything’s gotta be just right. What’s so bad about that?”