logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2024
29m 43s

How to Fight Perfectionism

Pushkin Industries
About this episode

Holding yourself to impossibly high standards is self-defeating and makes for a miserable life. Can Dr Laurie Santos find ways to tackle her constant perfectionism so she can perform better and have more fun? 

She hears from researcher Thomas Curran about a worrying growth in perfectionism in society, and asks "recovering perfectionist" Jordana Confino how to tackle the nagging voice in your head telling you to always push yourself and work harder.  

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Yesterday
A Neuroscientist’s Guide to Changing Your Brain with Dr. Richard Davidson
Your brain is changing all the time, whether you realize it or not. Everything from your hobbies and chores to the media you consume can physically shape it. So how can you make sure it’s changing in ways that actually serve you? Laurie speaks with neuroscientist Dr. Richard Davi ... Show More
36m 23s
Sep 7
Stop Doing Things the Hard Way with Dr. Angela Duckworth
When we’re struggling to reach a goal, most of us assume the answer is to buckle down and try harder. But what if all that white-knuckling is actually making things more difficult than they need to be? Dr. Laurie speaks with psychologist Angela Duckworth, best known for her groun ... Show More
58m 13s
Aug 17
The Life-Changing Power of a Sabbatical
It’s hard to focus on wellbeing when we’re expected to work nonstop until retirement. Taking a break from time to time should be a given, not a privilege. Dr. Laurie works in one of the few industries that recognizes the importance of extended time off. As she begins her own year ... Show More
48m 31s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2024
How to fight perfectionism (from The Happiness Lab)
On Fixable, we're always trying to help listeners solve problems in the best way possible, but holding yourself to impossibly high standards is the other side of the coin that can make solving any work problem miserable. We’re sharing an episode of The Happiness Lab, hosted by Dr ... Show More
30m 8s
Sep 2023
114. Is Perfectionism Ruining Your Life?
<p>Psychologist Thomas Curran argues that perfectionism isn’t about high standards — it’s about never being enough. He explains how the drive to be perfect is harming education, the economy, and our mental health.</p><br/> <p>Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href= ... Show More
58m 30s
Dec 2024
Why do we push ourselves to be perfect? With Thomas Curran, PhD
In job interviews and in life, perfectionism is often seen as a selling point – an asset disguised as a flaw. But as psychologists have found rising rates of perfectionism in the United States and around the world in recent decades, they’ve begun to recognize the toll that the dr ... Show More
34m 37s
Dec 2024
Letting Go of Perfectionism
Hi, I’m Dr. Jodi Aman, and today, we’re going to tackle one of the biggest roadblocks to happiness and self-acceptance: perfectionism. I’ll be sharing insights on why perfectionism feels helpful but actually holds us back from joy and peace. We’ll explore ways to let go of these ... Show More
26 m
Jan 2025
Overcoming Perfectionism
Curious if you have perfectionist tendencies? I got you. In this podcast, I'm sharing 15 signs of perfections, and five specific tools you can use to let go of perfectionism for a happy, healthier you. You'll learn how perfectionism holds you back, steals your joy, and keeps you ... Show More
35m 55s
Sep 2022
What Issues Hide Behind Perfectionism?
Teens that struggle with perfectionism often start using harmful coping mechanisms to help relieve some of the pressure they put on themselves. But unfortunately, this can come back to bite them in even worse ways. Mark Gregston sits down to chat with two young men from Heartligh ... Show More
23m 50s
May 2019
247 - 5 Ways to Challenge Your Perfectionism
A little perfectionism can get you a long way, but too much holds you back like a 300-pound bouncer trying to break up a bar fight. This week, Savvy Psychologist Dr. Ellen Hendriksen covers 5 ways to challenge the mindset of perfectionism.Read the full transcript at https://quick ... Show More
9m 53s
Sep 2025
Escaping Perfectionism
<p>Perfectionism is everyone’s favorite flaw. It’s easy to assume that our push to be perfect is what leads to academic, athletic, and professional success. But how do we distinguish between high standards and unrealistic expectations? This week, we bring you a favorite conversat ... Show More
1h 37m
Jun 2023
The perfection trap: do you feel 'good enough'?
It's not only the headliners at Glastonbury and winners at Wimbledon who strive for perfection in their lives. Psychologist Dr Tom Curran says people in all walks of life are prone to believing they're not quite "good enough". The pressure to be perfect can come from inside ourse ... Show More
29m 3s