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The One You Feed

The Hidden Cost of Perfectionism: Why You Never Feel Good Enough with Ellen Hendriksen

Feb 21, 2025
Ellen Hendriksen, a clinical psychologist and author of "How to Be Enough," dives into the hidden costs of perfectionism. She explains how perfectionism leads to self-criticism and procrastination, revealing that it's less about achieving perfection and more about feeling inadequate. Ellen shares insights on self-acceptance as a remedy and discusses the emotional roots of procrastination. With anecdotes and humor, she emphasizes the vital role of self-compassion in overcoming perfectionist tendencies, encouraging listeners to embrace their imperfections.
56:50

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Perfectionism is fundamentally about feeling inadequate rather than striving for flawless performance, leading to detrimental self-criticism.
  • Procrastination should be viewed as an emotional management issue rather than a mere time management problem to foster healthier habits.

Deep dives

The Value of Focused Work

Focusing on work for its own sake, rather than seeking validation or personal evaluation, leads to the best outcomes. When individuals detach their self-worth from their work, they are often able to produce higher quality results. This approach emphasizes the idea of handling tasks with an eye for information rather than personal significance. By making the work about the process rather than the person, individuals can mitigate the pressure that perfectionism often imposes.

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