Completionism, Completionist and Completism

Last update: 2025-03-01

Completionism is a mindset focused on achieving total or perfect completion in an activity. It involves ensuring every task or objective is completed, no matter how small.

Completionism can be applied to various aspects of life, from hobbies and work to personal projects and intellectual pursuits. It’s often used in gaming contexts, where players aim to complete every quest, collect every item, and unlock every achievement.

While completionism can indicate dedication and thoroughness, it can also become obsessive or perfectionistic if taken to extremes. This can lead to frustration, burnout, or procrastination.

For example, a completionist in a video game might finish the main story but also explore every corner of the game world, collect all items, and unlock every achievement.

Completionist is person who actively pursues total or perfect completion in a specific context. Unlike “completionism,” which is a mindset, “completionist” refers to an individual who adopts this mindset and applies it to activities like gaming or collecting.

Completionists focus on specific goals or tasks within a defined context, such as completing every side quest in a video game, collecting all items in a set, or finishing every assignment in a work project.

The term “completionist” is usually neutral or positive, referring to someone with a goal-oriented and structured approach. However, if this pursuit is excessive, it may lead to obsessive behaviours. Being a completionist is seen as a commitment to thoroughness and attention to detail, often used in hobbies and gaming.

Example: A completionist might spend extra hours in a game completing side content beyond the main storyline.

Completism, a drive for completeness or perfection, applies to various aspects of life, from everyday chores to long-term projects. It can manifest as healthy ambition or obsessive perfectionism. While completism is often associated with negative connotations, excessive attention to detail and compulsive finishing can interfere with productivity and mental well-being.

For instance, someone exhibiting completism might finish every task on a to-do list, even trivial ones, causing unnecessary stress or delays.

Key Differences and Relationship

Completionism refers to the general mindset or philosophy of seeking total completion, often in a structured or methodical way. It can be applied to various activities, but it doesn’t specify the person actively working toward that goal.
Completionist is the person who adopts the completionist philosophy and actively works to achieve complete goals in a specific context, such as completing every task in a game, work project, or collection.
Completism is the broader desire for completeness and perfection. It’s often a tendency or drive that influences behavior, and it can sometimes veer into obsession. It’s a mindset that can apply to different aspects of life, not necessarily in a task-specific way.

Aspect	Completionism	Completionist	Completism
Definition	A mindset or philosophy focused on achieving total completion.	A person who actively works to complete every objective or task in a specific context.	A general tendency or behavior toward seeking completion, often in a perfectionistic way.
Scope	Broad, often applied to any activity where completion is desired.	Specific to the pursuit of completing tasks or objectives within a defined context (e.g., games, collections).	Can apply to various aspects of life and may be obsessive or excessive.
Connotation	Can be both positive (dedication) or negative (obsessive perfectionism).	Generally positive, but can become obsessive if taken to extremes.	Often negative, with a focus on perfectionism or excessive pursuit of completion.

In Summary:

Completionism is a broader mindset that drives individuals to complete things thoroughly in a structured way, often to the point of perfection.
Completionist refers to an individual who actively pursues completion in a specific task or activity, typically following a set of goals or parameters.
Completism is the overarching desire for completion and perfection that can sometimes lead to obsessive behavior or perfectionism.

While completionism is the philosophy and completionist is the practitioner, completism refers to a more general mindset that can influence both.