Perfection-seeking as an activity is fine (and to be lauded!), but perfection-seeking as an identity needs to be excised. Endless effort spent to realize excellence in this world is a beautiful thing, but it truly is a curse to become so self-critical, so self-loathing that if you haven't achieved it yet means (to you) that you are a failure. You've only ever failed when you quit trying, otherwise you're simply on the journey of discovery, trial, tribulation and hopefully, eventually, triumph. And don't forget, success is inextricably linked to a moment in time; it will fade, and you will remain, so hopefully a person has been kind enough to and accepting enough of themselves that when the accolades become meaningless, the person left behind is whole, happy and content.

There's always another challenge on the horizon, always more perfection to be sought.

Seeking improvement is a good thing.

Is the definition of seeking perfection different? Maybe these words are poor for the distinction between direction and target.

CertainlyI wouldn't want to be an unhappy perfectionist. But slowly perfecting/improving something is a happy thing.

That said, I struggle with the internal dialogue of some people that are never happy with what they do.