Aiming for perfection seems like a noble goal. It’s like we’re holding ourselves to a higher standard or standing out from the crowd.But striving for perfection means working toward the impossible. And the cost to our mental and physical health can be enormous.London School of Economics Professor, Thomas Curran, experienced the impact of perfectionism firsthand. As a recovering perfectionist, he’s made the field the focus of his research.Curran’s research led to his book, The Perfection Trap: Embracing the Power of Good Enough. In it, he explains the psychology behind it, calls out cultural messages that reinforce it, and shares steps we can take to overcome it.Episode LinksPerfectionists Need to Embrace FailureThe Rise of Perfectionism – and the Harm It’s Doing Us AllUnderstanding Perfectionism and Impostor Syndrome with Dr. Thomas CurranNorwegian Wood by Haruki MurakamiThe TeamLearn more about host, Gayle Allen, and producer, Rob Mancabelli, here.Support the PodcastIf you like the show, please rate and review it on iTunes or wherever you subscribe, and tell a friend or family member about the show.SubscribeClick here and then scroll down to see a sample of sites where you can subscribe.