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Going to See the World's "I Have to Do It Right" #4: Chinese-Speaking Regions | Perfectionism in the World

2026年6月14日 20:04

This series explores the world's "I have to do it right."

So far, I have considered what kind of voices perfectionism takes by looking at Japanese, English-speaking, and Korean-speaking regions.

This time, I am looking at Chinese-speaking regions.

However, even if we call it the Chinese-speaking world, we cannot speak of mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong as the same thing.

Even if they use the same kanji, the words and backgrounds that emerge are slightly different.
Therefore, this time, I will not write an article that lumps the Chinese-speaking world together and says, "People in the Chinese-speaking world are like this." What I am looking at is not national character, but language. And the voice of "I have to do it right" that lies deep within those words.

※ Katakana is provided for Chinese pronunciations as a guide to make the text easier to read. They may vary depending on the region and pronunciation.

The main focus this time is the term |Jingshen Neihao| "continuously consuming oneself from within" which can be seen in self-help and psychological content in mainland China.

When we stop due to perfectionism, I feel that it is not just the work itself that is tiring. Even though I have just started, I am already stopping to ask, "Is this right?" Even though it is still a draft, the faces of the readers are already appearing in my mind. Even though it has not even taken shape yet, I have already corrected it many times in my head.

I am already tired before I even move.

The term "Neihao" is quite close to this feeling. And the term that emerges from there like a prescription is |Xian Wancheng, Zai Wanmei| "finish first, then perfect it".

It is not about abandoning perfection, but changing the order of how to approach it.

In this Chinese-speaking region edition, we will use this phrase as a clue.

Even in the same Chinese-speaking world, "I have to do it right" is not the same

First, let me clarify my stance for this time.
Even if we call it the Chinese-speaking world, the words and contexts that emerge are not the same in mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. This time, I will focus on mainland China.

The reason is that it is easier to see words that are easily connected to the feeling of stopping due to perfectionism, such as |Jingshen Neihao| "continuously consuming oneself from within",
|Xian Wancheng, Zai Wanmei| "finish first, then perfect", |Tuoyan| "procrastination", and |Neijuan| "involution/excessive competition".

I will look at Taiwan as a contrast.|Ganggang Hao de Wanmei Zhuyi| "just-right perfectionism" can be read as a direction to adjust to a strength that one can handle, rather than completely abandoning perfectionism.

I will treat Hong Kong as an auxiliary line.
Within the scope of this article, it cannot be said that there is much material that centers on "perfectionism itself" regarding Hong Kong. Therefore, I will not force it to be treated with the same volume as mainland China or Taiwan. Regarding Hong Kong, I will only briefly confirm the background where perfectionism is easily triggered, such as academic pressure and parental expectations.

What is important is not to simplify things like "mainland China is competition," "Taiwan is healing," and "Hong Kong is an academic society."

What I want to see in this article is not the character of the region.

I will consider what words perfectionism is spoken with, in what situations it becomes heavy, and in what words it is returned to a form that can move a little.

Why am I tired even though I haven't done anything yet? — |Jingshen Neihao|

First, the term I want to look at as a word from the mainland Chinese side is |Jingshen Neihao| "continuously consuming oneself from within".

When I saw this word, I thought it was quite close to perfectionism.The fatigue of perfectionism cannot be measured only by the amount of work visible from the outside.Rather, there are cases where what is happening in the head before moving is heavier.

For example, suppose I write a note. But if perfectionism is strong, questions like this will come up before I even write. Is this theme really okay? Won't it be thought of as shallow? Wouldn't it be better to research more? Will this flow convey it properly? Is it okay for me to write this?

I am already tired even though I haven't written a single character yet.

I think the term |Jingshen Neihao| "continuously consuming oneself from within" expresses this "feeling of being worn down from the inside" quite sharply.

Procrastination is wanting to look away from what you see the moment you start — |Tuoyan|

The next thing I want to look at is |Tuoyan| "procrastination".

When we talk about procrastination, it's easy to assume it's because someone is "unmotivated" or "lazy." But procrastination linked to perfectionism is a little different.

You don't procrastinate because you don't want to do it. You can't start because you want to do it properly. You don't stop because you want to do a sloppy job. You can't put it out there because you want to put it out properly. "Properly" also reflects a desire to do things carefully and create things with care. That in itself is not a bad thing.

However, when "properly" becomes too strong, it becomes a wall that stands in the way of your work. You seek perfection before you finish. You seek a masterpiece before you write a draft. You seek success before you try. You end up consuming yourself internally without ever putting anything out. What you need is not to push yourself further by saying, "I have to try harder."

Because in your head, you are already trying more than enough.

The reason you are stuck might not be because you are lazy, but because you are afraid.
If that is the case, what you need is not to "try harder," but to change the order of your tasks before the fear gets too strong. I believe that is it.

That is where |先完成，再完美 (Xiān wánchéng, zài wánměi) "Finish first, then perfect" comes in.

Finish first. Then perfect. —— |先完成，再完美 (Xiān wánchéng, zài wánměi)

|先完成，再完美 (Xiān wánchéng, zài wánměi) means "finish first, then perfect."

This phrase is the one I want to cherish most in this Chinese-speaking world edition.

It doesn't mean throwing away perfection, stopping your pursuit of quality, or putting out sloppy work. It means finishing first, then moving closer to perfection. It's a matter of order.

If you tell a perfectionist to "let go of perfection," they won't be able to let go easily.
If I could do that, I don't think I would be posting on note.

Even when I was told to "put it out at 60 points," I honestly didn't feel much relief. Because somewhere in my heart, I would think: even if I think it's 60 points, it might be 40 points to someone else. I can't decide on my own what the standard is for "it's okay to put this out."

No, it's that 60 points that scares me.

Because I'm scared, I want to polish it more. Because I'm anxious, I try to find peace of mind in the level of completion. That is how perfectionism tries to eliminate anxiety by raising the level of completion.

That is why, rather than "throwing away perfection," I choose a method that allows me to remain a perfectionist while "changing the order of perfecting.".

This is not about erasing perfectionism. It is about changing the order so that perfectionism is not triggered from the start.

You don't have to get rid of perfectionism. Just don't let perfectionism take the wheel from the beginning. You are the one driving. First, aim to "finish" and move forward. Then, have perfectionism wait in the back seat until the final red-pen check.

Thinking of it that way, |先完成，再完美 (Xiān wánchéng, zài wánměi) "Finish first, then perfect" is not just a positive phrase; it becomes a tool you can use as a force for movement rather than a force for stopping, even while remaining a perfectionist.

Don't give up on perfection, finish first—— |完成优于完美 (Wánchéng yōuyú wánměi)

A similar phrase is |完成优于完美 (Wánchéng yōuyú wánměi) "Completion is better than perfection." This also strikes a chord with those who are stopped by perfectionism. However, I don't want to be misunderstood here:

it does not mean "it's okay to be sloppy." Perfectionists might feel a bit of resistance when told "completion is better than perfection." But does that mean I should put out something with a low level of completion? Does it mean it's okay to be sloppy? What happens to the desire to do things properly?

The desire to "do things properly" is not being denied here.
What we want to reconsider is the order.

You cannot fix what is not finished. You cannot improve what has not taken shape.
You cannot see reactions to what you haven't put out into the world.
Therefore, if you want to aim for perfection, you need to finish it first.

Completion is not giving up on perfection. It is the entrance to getting closer to perfection.

Changing to this perspective makes it a little easier to move, even while remaining a perfectionist.
Don't throw away perfection, change the order in which you approach it.

First, complete it. Then, perfect it.

It's not about getting rid of perfectionism, but about getting it into shape before perfectionism stops you. Then, using it as a force to review it afterward.

That is a way of thinking that allows you to keep moving even while being a perfectionist.

The atmosphere of competition that strengthens perfectionism — |Neijuan|

In the context of mainland China, the term |Neijuan| 'involution/excessive competition' also comes up.

|Neijuan| 'involution/excessive competition' is not perfectionism itself. Saying 'Mainland China is perfectionist because of |Neijuan|' is incorrect.

However, it serves as a helpful line of reasoning to consider the evaluation environment where perfectionism is easily triggered.
Academics. Advancing to higher education. Job hunting. Parental expectations. Expectations for social mobility. When these things overlap, just 'doing it right' can sometimes not be enough.

Higher. Faster. More accurately. To be more highly evaluated. To not be left behind anymore. In that environment, perfectionism might just be trying to protect yourself.

I don't want to fail. I don't want to fall behind. I don't want to be compared. I don't want to betray expectations. When those voices become strong, perfectionism becomes increasingly heavy.

That is precisely why the order of |Xian wancheng, zai wanmei| 'first complete, then perfect' is effective here.

Before you continue to be consumed from within, first give it shape. Before you continue to imagine the evaluation, put it out once. Before you are worn down in the competition, create a foothold called completion. It's not about letting go of perfection, but placing completion first before perfectionism stops you.

It's not about trying harder. It's about being conscious of when perfectionism comes into play and changing it slightly. Just by doing that, things that were stuck start to move a little.

A way to have a 'just right' relationship with perfectionism seen in Taiwan — |Ganggang hao de wanmeizhuyi|

Next, let's look at the terms from the Taiwan side.
What I want to include as a contrast for Taiwan this time is |Ganggang hao de wanmeizhuyi| 'just right perfectionism'.

The reason this phrase left an impression on me is because it doesn't flatly say 'let's stop being perfectionists'. In the Taiwanese context as well, I feel it is a sensation close to procrastination, trying too hard to please others, and the fear of making mistakes.

|Taohao| — trying too hard to please others / trying to be liked.
|Pa fancuo| — afraid of making mistakes.
These are forms of 'I have to do it right' that exist in daily life, even without using the word perfectionism.

It's not that you are procrastinating because you lack motivation. It's not that you truly lack motivation either. Once you start, you will find out whether you can do it or not.
Only while you haven't started yet, while you haven't done anything, can you remain 'the self that should be able to do it right'.

Trying too hard to please others might not just be kindness. You are afraid of betraying the other person's expectations, and you lose sight of your own standards. Being afraid of making mistakes might not just be being cautious. And you cannot forgive yourself for the self that made a mistake.

Here, too, there is a voice close to the Japanese 'I have to do it right'.

So as not to cause trouble for others. So as not to betray expectations. So as not to make mistakes.
So as not to be disliked. That voice is not something that is born only within yourself. It gradually becomes stronger while mixing with relationships with others, family expectations, evaluations at school or work, and the atmosphere around you.

That is why,it is difficult when people just tell you to "stop" being a perfectionist.

|剛剛好的完美主義 (Gānggāng hǎo de wánměi zhǔyì) "Just-right perfectionism" The phrase contains a margin that does not completely reject perfectionism.

Instead of eliminating perfectionism, treat it just right.Adjust the perfectionism that has become so strong it wears you down to a weight you can carry. This is not a consolation for those of us who cannot erase our perfectionism.

It is a phrase for moving forward while coming to terms with perfectionism.
Do not let perfectionism be a voice that blames you from the start. Use perfectionism as a force to refine things at the end.

Change perfectionism from a voice that blames you, saying "it's not enough yet," to a voice that reviews things, saying "let's refine it a little more."

This "just-rightness" also connects to the phrase from mainland China,|先完成，再完美 (Xiān wánchéng, zài wánměi) "Finish first, then perfect it".

Finish it first. Then, use perfectionism to refine it. Instead of erasing perfectionism, return it to a strength that doesn't wear you down too much.

I think the "just-rightness" shown to us by the Taiwanese phrase lies there.

The sense of urgency of "I have to do it right" seen in Hong Kong

I will treat Hong Kong briefly this time.
Within the scope of this article, it seems better to look at Hong Kong from the side of the evaluative environment where perfectionism tends to become strong, rather than from the perspective of the phrase "perfectionism itself."

For example,
|學業壓力 (Hok yip aat lik) is academic pressure.|家長期望 (Gā jēung kèih mohng) is parental expectations.|怪獸家長 (Gwaai sau gā jēung) is what is known as a monster parent. Here, it is a term used in the context of parents who intervene excessively in their children's education.

When the tension surrounding exams and advancement, parental expectations, and comparisons with those around you overlap,"I have to do it right" is no longer just an internal voice.

If I don't do it right, I'll be left behind. If I don't produce results properly, I won't be able to meet expectations. Amidst such a sense of urgency, perfectionism becomes stronger.

Perfectionism acts as a brake when it appears at the beginning, and as an editor when it appears at the end

Looking back at everything so far, the phrase that remains with me the most is, after all, this one.

|先完成，再完美 (Xiān wánchéng, zài wánměi) "Finish first, then perfect it". I think this phrase provides quite a bit of salvation for those who cannot let go of perfectionism.

It does not say to throw away perfection.
But it does say not to seek perfection from the start.

Perfectionism acts as a brake when it appears at the beginning.
Even though you haven't written anything yet, it asks, "Is this okay?" "Isn't it shallow?" "Shouldn't I research more?" "Will I regret putting this out?"

But the perfectionism that appears after completion becomes an editor.This part might be hard to read. This phrasing might be a bit too strong. It might be easier to understand if I change the order. This example might be better if it's closer to the reader. This part is too much, so let's cut it.Even with the same perfectionism, its role changes depending on the timing it appears.

If it appears at the beginning, you stop. If it appears at the end, it becomes a force to refine.

This is because perfectionism itself is not the problem; depending on when it appears, it changes into either a force that wears you down or a force that polishes what you have created.

Instead of eliminating perfectionism, change when it takes the stage.

First, give it shape and put it out there. After that, review, refine, and polish it.
Use perfectionism not as a force to stop, but as a force to bring you closer to completion.

This is the order I call "actionable perfectionism."

There is an order in which you can take action while remaining a perfectionist

I will list just two phrases from this article that we have looked at.

| Jingshen Neihao (Mental Internal Friction): "To keep consuming oneself from within"
This is the state that occurs when you get stuck in perfectionism.
| Xian Wancheng, Zai Wanmei (First complete, then perfect): "Finish it first, then make it perfect"
This is the phrase that serves as an exit from that state.

Instead of pushing yourself by saying "I have to try harder," you just need to change the order to "get it into shape first."

Before you consume yourself from within, finish it first.
Once it is finished, hand the work over to perfectionism.
You don't have to let go of perfection. Just change when it takes the stage.

What became clear from the words of the Chinese-speaking world was not to let go of perfectionism.

Finish first. Then perfect. It is a simple, yet very significant difference in order.

Next Episode Preview

This time, we looked at a hint from the Chinese-speaking world: not to let go of perfectionism, but to change the order.

Next is the German edition.

We will go see what form "I have to do it right" takes in the German-speaking world.

If you would like to continue reading about the world's "I have to do it right,"
I would be happy if you could support me with a like, follow, or comment.

Click here for the journey surrounding "I have to do it right"

In this series, using words from around the world as clues,
I am going to see the various forms of perfectionism.

Whether you started from the Chinese-speaking world edition or
are peeking in from somewhere that interests you, I would be happy.

Supplement: Regarding actionable perfectionism
that Kaori Zuima is thinking about. Click here for a brief article on the "4 types of perfectionism + mixed type" that form the background of this series.

For those who want to listen via audio

I am also distributing a podcast based on the note article,
"Actionable Perfectionism Radio | Instruction Manual for the Unfinished".

Currently, we are creating and distributing episodes based on past articles in sequence.

First, please start with the explanatory episode to understand the show's philosophy.

🎧 If you prefer to listen to the podcast on your favorite app, click here

The emergency distribution version of "The 4 Types of Perfectionism + Mixed Type Prequel, the Starting Point of 'Actionable Perfectionism'" introduced in the stories you should also read is here.

🎧 If you prefer to listen to the podcast on your favorite app, click here

For those who have listened to the above, it might be interesting to compare these two as well...

🎧 If you prefer to listen to the podcast on your favorite app, click here