1 The Perfectionist

1s Say: “I love making every detail perfect. I usually notice right away when something is out of place. I don't like it when people break rules. I like to be organized and I like for things to be orderly. I think of myself as being reasonable, practical, and realistic. I tend to see things in terms of right and wrong, good and bad. If I were to be honest, I would admit that I am tense a lot. I'm careful how I spend money.”

Root Emotion:  Anger.

Seeing everything that is not “right” and telling us about it is both the gift and the burden of the 1. Being helpful is their true motivation, while they are often perceived as critical rather than kind. Integrity as part of truthfulness is very important to 1s. They have tight energy and are often dressed and coiffed in an exacting manner. Child 1s will ask to be told the “rules” at a new house, so they can feel comfortable doing what’s right. They see the details of things, correcting speech, putting down collars, and straightening pictures. They want to be attached to others, but often find themselves rebuffed by those who have felt the critical eye or word of a 1. It would not be correct to be overweight or eat too much, so 1s are usually average weight or slim. At their worst, an unhealthy 1 is obsessive-compulsive. Most 1s do not recognize the aggression that drives them for anger is something imperfect. This is their chief dilemma. The inner stress can generate tremendous pressure. At its core, perfectionism is self-criticism. At their best, 1s see the best in themselves as well as in others and only offer suggestions when asked.