In Good Company with Nicolai Tangen Thomas Curran: Perfectionism: The Power Of Good Enough In A World That Always Wants More
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Nov 1, 2023 
Thomas Curran, a Professor at the London School of Economics and a leading expert on perfectionism, discusses the cultural implications of striving for perfection in modern society. He explores how social media drives unrealistic standards and the mental health crises they can trigger. Highlighting the Wabi Sabi philosophy, Curran advocates for embracing imperfection and promoting a 'good enough' mindset. He emphasizes the importance of valuing authenticity over flawless performance in workplaces, suggesting that fostering resilience and creativity leads to greater well-being.
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Perfectionism's Root
- Perfectionism stems from a feeling of inadequacy, a sense of not being good enough.
- It involves trying to mask this imperfection by projecting a flawless image to others.
Self-Oriented Perfectionism
- Self-oriented perfectionism is the intense personal drive to be perfect, coupled with self-criticism when falling short.
- It's partly inherited (30-40%) and partly shaped by environmental factors.
Cultural Perfectionism
- Nicolai Tangen mentions Japan's train punctuality as a potential cultural example of perfectionism.
- Thomas Curran agrees, noting cultural variations in perfectionism but highlighting limited data.
