The Perils of Perfectionism

Professor of Psychology Thomas Curran knows a thing or two about the human mind. He's dedicated a large part of his career to the study of perfectionism and its effect on our lives. In his landmark study, the BBC saw fit to hail him as “the first to compare perfectionism across generations”. Curran's TED Talk on perfectionism has been viewed by millions of people around the world, and his research has been featured in a range of publications from the Harvard Business Review to New Scientist. In this podcast, the subject matter expert and I discuss the psychology of perfectionism, what it means for our lives and health, and how to overcome this debilitating state of mind.

Highlights from our conversation:

• Understanding what perfectionism is and why it exists
• The root feelings of perfectionism and their sources
• The self-perpetuating effects of perfectionism on our lives
• Embracing the concept of 'good enough' in an imperfect world

Enjoy!