Worklife with Adam Grant
Breaking Up with Perfectionism
May 3, 2022
Thomas Curran, a psychologist at the London School of Economics, dives deep into the rising trend of perfectionism and its detrimental effects on mental health. He shares eye-opening insights on how perfectionism fuels anxiety and burnout, particularly among youth. Adam and Thomas discuss the importance of embracing failure and fostering environments that prioritize growth over flawless execution. They introduce the 'Church of Fail,' a concept that celebrates vulnerability and learning from mistakes, revealing how redefining success can lead to healthier and more productive workplaces.
41:50
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Quick takeaways
- Striving for excellence is more effective than pursuing perfectionism, as it focuses on progress and improvement.
- Measuring progress towards goals and setting clear objectives helps overcome perfectionism, allowing individuals to appreciate their personal best and track improvement over time.
Deep dives
Recognizing the Difference Between Excellence and Perfection
Striving for excellence is pursuing high standards of quality, while perfectionism sets an unattainable goal. Aiming for excellence is more effective because it focuses on progress and improvement.
