People I (Mostly) Admire 114. Is Perfectionism Ruining Your Life?
17 snips
Sep 16, 2023 
Psychologist Thomas Curran, an expert on perfectionism from the London School of Economics, argues that perfectionism often stems from a sense of never being enough. He highlights its negative effects in education, mental health, and the economy. Curran discusses the emotional toll on writers and how social media aggravates feelings of inadequacy. He addresses parental expectations and critiques the role of capitalism in promoting perfectionist ideals, ultimately advocating for a healthier 'good enough' mindset to combat these pressures.
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Perfectionism in Practice
- Steve Levitt jokingly asks Thomas Curran if writing a book on perfectionism, as a perfectionist, was disastrous.
- Curran describes the writing process as challenging, marked by intense editing and dissatisfaction with the final product.
Perfectionism and Success
- Perfectionism is often wrongly associated with success.
- Studies show a weak link between perfectionism and performance, but a strong correlation with mental distress.
Self-Oriented Perfectionism
- Self-oriented perfectionism is an internal drive to be perfect, measured by questionnaires like the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale.
- Two of Levitt's children identify with this, viewing it as a burden rather than a strength.
