The Perfection Trap

The Power of Good Enough in a World That Always Wants More

De: Thomas Curran

Narrado por: Sid Sagar

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

©2023 Thomas Curran (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

Even if you don't think of yourself as a perfectionist, this remarkable book will illuminate some insidious effects of perfectionism in your life, as well as in society . . . Research-based, wise, and practical, The Perfection Trap is a must-read (Amy C. Edmondson, Professor, Harvard Business School and author of RIGHT KIND OF WRONG)

This book will transform how you think about success. It is a must-read for anyone interested in living meaningfully and achieving lasting happiness (Jake Humphrey and Damian Hughes, creators of HIGH PERFORMANCE)

A hopeful beacon and a steady path for anyone struggling to find their footing in a world of impossible standards (Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling author of DRIVE and THE POWER OF REGRET)

Almost every page spoke to me directly . . . I loved it (Joe Wilkinson)

The Perfection Trap makes a stirring and delightful case for getting over our culture's 'favorite flaw.' Paradoxically, perfectionism is keeping us from being so much better. Thomas Curran is an accomplished scientist whose knack for empathetic storytelling is on display as he reveals the human beings - including himself - behind the statistics on perfectionism, anxiety, and the insecurity built into our economic and social systems. This book gives me hope that you, I, all of us can let go of the impossible ideals that frustrate so many lives (Jonathan Malesic, author of THE END OF BURNOUT)

An amazing piece of work (Gwyneth Paltrow)

An enjoyable read (Steve Levitt, author of FREAKONOMICS)

Humaine and intelligent

This is really a gem. The author combines his insights and experiences and combines it to a very interesting critique about our Western material culture. I don't share all his opinions ( especially about young people.) but at least you have the feeling he would listen to your arguments. God, how nice it is to read/listen a book from one who isn't sitting in an ivory tower.

Fascinating

This book starts like many other psychology books written for lay people - think Mindset, Grit. And it does this very well, laying out the science and weaving in great storytelling so that we can understand the impact that perfectionism has in our lives. In particular the book grapples with the distinction between perfectionism and striving for excellence. But then Curran dares to do what many other authors don't. He explicitly draws the connections between capitalism and western culture and perfectionism. This recognizes that perfectionism is not just an individual issue, but a systemic issue that we are battling. Overall, an illuminating listen.

Waste of money and time

The first part of the book started well, setting the scene about performance management and expectation management. Sadly, the book became a rant about the education system and capitalism.