Elevate with Robert Glazer Elevate Classics: Thomas Curran on Overcoming Perfectionism
Oct 31, 2024
Dr. Thomas Curran, an Assistant Professor at the London School of Economics and a leading authority on perfectionism, shares his compelling journey through this mental health challenge. He discusses how social media exacerbates feelings of inadequacy and the pressures felt by young people today. Curran emphasizes the importance of recognizing the dangers of perfectionism in leadership and personal relationships. He advocates embracing imperfection, promoting self-awareness, and finding value in progress over unattainable standards.
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Curran's Childhood and Drive
- Thomas Curran grew up in a small UK town with limited opportunities, motivating him to pursue higher education.
- This drive stemmed from a desire to overcome his background and compete with those he perceived as more privileged.
Personal Struggle and Research Motivation
- Thomas Curran's personal struggle with perfectionism, including mental health challenges, fueled his research interest.
- He noticed a lack of existing research, motivating him to investigate its societal impact.
Rise of Socially Prescribed Perfectionism
- Socially prescribed perfectionism (the feeling that others expect perfection) has increased dramatically since 2007.
- Young people in 2023 experience 40% higher levels than those in 1989.