Navigating perfectionism
High expectations for performance in both life and work are common, but what do you do when you get stuck and you’re not able to achieve the results you desire? In this episode, Mireille and Adam talk through the different aspects of perfectionism and ways in which is can be adaptive and helpful and other ways in which it poses additional challenges. What happens when we avoid the possibility of failure as opposed to simply having high standards for our performance? How can we begin to focus on healthy striving as opposed to reaching for perfection?
Discussion
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Kali Jensen
Washington
2020-05-21T14:31:40Z ago
Really enjoyed the topic as someone who has done a lot of work on perfectionism, thanks! I’d love to hear you talk about perfectionism in families. How to walk along teenagers whose automatic “board of advisors” are parents who are perfectionists. Tools for kids in high performing homes.
Mireille Reece, PsyD
2020-05-22T16:13:28Z ago
Thanks so much for your feedback! We’ll definitely keep this in mind for upcoming episodes-I think there are so many dimensions relative to navigating perfectionism and it’s so hard with parents, coaches and other adults who still struggle with this. One resource I’d recommend is a podcast episode by Michael Gervais (a sports psychologist) with Sue Enquist here: https://findingmastery.net/sue-enquist/ She was the softball coach over at UCLA and towards the end of the episode, she mentions the way in which parents respond to the their children in high level athletics, which doesn’t work well to keep kids’ love for the game. While it’s in the context of sports, I think it’s relevant for all.
Ronald Martin
Vernon B.C. Canada
Retired Chemical Technologist
2020-05-23T18:16:42Z ago
Wow.. I used to think of “perfectionism” in a good way, but now see the limitations of the “addiction”. Just another great podcast of tools for clearer thinking. Thanks
Mireille Reece, PsyD
2020-05-28T14:26:36Z ago
Thanks thinker! We’re always glad to hear the way in which the topics help you think differently.