The Gently Used Human with Dr. Scott Lyons cover image

The Gently Used Human with Dr. Scott Lyons

Perfectionism and the Thief of Joy with Thomas Curran

Jan 31, 2024
01:06:16

In a world where the pursuit of perfection often becomes a relentless race, have you ever paused to wonder what truly lies at the heart of perfectionism? Is it an internal drive towards excellence, or a mask for our own feelings of unworthiness, a manifestation of internal shame? 

In today’s episode, Dr. Scott welcomes Dr. Thomas Curran, a world-leading expert on perfectionism, author of The Perfectionism Trap: Embracing the Power of Good Enough, and associate professor of Psychological and Behavioural Science at the London School of Economics. Dr. Thomas has spent many years studying the cloak of perfectionism and how it negatively impacts our lives. In this episode, he breaks it all down for us, including how to understand the relationship of perfectionism to mental health, the social component of perfectionism, and the paradoxical way it blocks our path to genuine success and joy.

So, whether you've been caught in the snare of self-loathing for not meeting those sky-high goals or you’re simply seeking permission to embrace your beautifully imperfect self, this conversation is for you.

Topics We Break Down:

  • Why perfectionism is and what it isn’t.
  • The cost of perfectionism and why it isn’t worth it. 
  • Why the perfectionist is also the procrastinator. 
  • How to find joy in things you don’t do well.
  • Vulnerability and how it brings us closer. 

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode