Let's Talk! with Linda Kelly: Perfectionism

Intro music by Ben Sound
​Voiced by Linda Kelly 

Most people would consider having high standards a good thing. Striving for excellence can show that you have a good work ethic and strength of character. High standards can also push you to reach your peak level of performance. 

Perfectionism, on the other hand, involves a tendency to set standards that are so high that they either cannot be met, or are only met with great difficulty. Perfectionists tend to believe that anything short of perfection is horrible, and that even minor imperfections will lead to catastrophe. 

In this episode, listen as Linda dissects the personality trait that causes issues from procrastination to depression. In other words, perfectionism creates all sorts of mental health problems. Here's how to change it.