The Perfection Trap
The Power of Good Enough in a World That Always Wants More
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The Perfection Trap
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Narrated by:
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Sid Sagar
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By:
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Thomas Curran
About this listen
Brought to you by Penguin.
Today, burnout and depression are at record levels, driven by a combination of intense workplace competition, the comparative world of social media, the quest for elite credentials, and helicopter parenting. Society continually broadcasts the need to want more, and that we have to be perfect to get it. Why is this a trap, and how can we escape it?
Gathering a wide range of contemporary evidence, acclaimed professor at the London School of Economics Thomas Curran calls for both a mindset shift and broader, societal change. He explores the paradoxical effects of perfectionism on everything from performance to social and financial inequality, and shows what we can do as individuals to resist the modern-day pressure to be perfect - and how we can create a culture that celebrates the joys of imperfection.
If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the soul-crushing need to compete for more or to be the best, The Perfection Trap is for you. Learn to prioritise what's important, meet the world where it is and strive for purpose instead of more by embracing the power of 'good enough' in your life.
'Thomas Curran is the world's leading expert on perfectionism, and he's written the definitive book on why it's rising, how it wreaks havoc on our lives, and what we can do to stop it. If you've ever found yourself fearing failure, ruminating about mistakes, or just feeling that you aren't good enough, this is a must read' Adam Grant
'A fascinating and panoramic analysis of perfectionism in modern capitalist societies' Grace Blakeley
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What listeners say about The Perfection Trap
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 15-06-23
Radical and Powerful
The Perfection Trap is an audacious book that fearlessly challenges the traditional self-help genre and takes a revolutionary approach to tackling the pervasive scourge of perfectionism. With its bold insights and refreshing perspective, this book is a game-changer for anyone trapped in the relentless pursuit of more.
Thomas Curran masterfully weaves personal anecdotes, scientific research, and expert interviews to present a thought-provoking title that turns conventional wisdom on its head. From the get-go, you'll realize this is not just another run-of-the-mill self-help guide; it's a daring exploration of the human psyche inside a world that always demands more, urging listeners to take a closer look at what they're told is the "good life" - fitter, bigger, better - and ask whether, actually, that way of living is doing more harm than good.
While some listeners may initially find the ideas presented in The Perfection Trap uncomfortable, it is precisely this discomfort that signals the book's transformative power. It challenges preconceived notions and invites readers to question societal norms. This audiobook is not for those seeking life hacks and quick fixes. It is for those seeking genuine change and collective liberation from the shackles of our society's obsession with perfection.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 15-02-24
Perfect book for how not to be perfect
I really enjoyed this book and appreciated the personal story alongside science and research. I’ve dealt with a lot of my own stuff around perfectionism and it really resonated for me. Also, very useful in my line of work as a leadership consultant and facilitator as it comes up a lot in individuals but also is ingrained in the culture of many organisations.
Only part I would disagree with is that not all life coaches preach the be positive approach. That’s just not realistic and therefore I felt it was a bit of a generalisation especially as one of the reasons I was able to unhook myself from my own perfectionist traits was with the support of a coach. They definitely didn’t take a be positive stance.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- HSS
- 25-06-24
Wonderfully uplifting
I found this book oddly uplifting despite the fact that it outlines in just how many ways our society, economy and political systems seem to be trapping us in unhealthy levels of perfectionism. It seems like we are slowly headed in the right direction societally, and until then, we can try our best not to perpetuate unhealthy perfectionism in ourselves or our loved ones.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Gaile Juozapaityte
- 24-03-24
Very insightful
Insightful and well supported look into modern epidemic of perfection. Highly recommend to all suffering from work stress and burnout.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Sian C.
- 17-06-23
Fascinating
Really helped my understanding of perfectionism and how not my fault!
Interesting & challenging theories on how to reduce the problem.
Well read
Fascinating book that held my attention through to the end & o think has given me permission for self compassion.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Rae
- 11-10-23
Incredible Book
This is an incredible book. It begins in a scientific self-help style, with stories interspersed with data. But then it moves to a much broader explanation of perfectionism as a cultural phenomenon, and, unlike most books in this genre, follows this logic through to societal implications and solutions. While one might criticise the practicality of these solutions, the author needs to be congratulated for having the guts to at least "go there" and, in doing so, open up a conversation about issues surrounding defectiveness and unrelenting expectations being driven largely by macro factors. Definitely worth a read if you're looking for help understanding where perfectionism comes from.
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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- I. G. Rees
- 12-06-23
Rambling and repetitive
A very disappointing book on an interesting subject. A rambling text that skirts what the author could have tackled, namely how to identify and deal with perfectionism in oneself and others. For me, a frustrating listen in anticipation of practical guidance.
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