Perfectionism can be damaging as it causes people to focus on small details and overlook the big picture. Perfectionists also tend to ruminate and shame themselves instead of practicing self-compassion. They avoid taking risks and challenging themselves, which hinders their personal growth. The rise of perfectionism is not solely attributed to social media, but also to increased parental expectations and harsh criticism of children. It is important to foster a mindset of self-acceptance and learning from mistakes instead.
Malcolm Gladwell hosts a rollicking live discussion about Adam Grant’s new book, “Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things,” which is available now. They explore why we overemphasize innate talent, how Adam grappled with impostor syndrome as a writer and perfectionism as an athlete, and how to chart a path toward achieving greater things. They also discuss the evidence on affirmative action — and riff on topics ranging from humility to psychoanalysis to whether Lions or Bills fans suffer more.
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