When Perfect Isn't Good Enough by Martin M. Antony

Author of A Guide to Rational Living and President, Albert Ellis Institute, NYC -Albert Ellis, Ph.D. The book leaves space throughout for the reader to write in personal examples and thoughts, encouraging a proactive and interactive approach to a persistent problem that's far more widespread than many think.Īn excellent description of perfectionism and its self-sabotaging disadvantages. InPart Three, they establish the links between perfectionism and depression, anger, social anxiety, chronic worry, obsessive-compulsive behavior, and body image, and lay out specific strategies to break these links.

In Part Two, they offer a concrete plan for change. In Part One, the authors distinguish between the cognitive and behavioral components of this trait, and explain how to measure them. A series of exercises helps readers challenge unrealistic expectations and work on the specific problem situations where perfectionism is a problem. The authors review the causes of this characteristic and show readers how to assess the impact it has on their lives. When Perfect Isn't Good Enough explores the nature of perfectionism and offers a step-by-step program of cognitive-behavioral strategies for overcoming it. A student who cares too much about writing the perfect term paper may procrastinate until it's too late, or spend so much time rewriting that the paper never gets done. A manager with excessively high expectations may find that a constant sense of disappointment and anger strains work relationships and hinders the successful supervision of others. Anxiety about doing well becomes a problem when it interferes with completing a task, impairs relationships, or otherwise intrudes on a person's functioning. Someone who doesn't care at all about doing well is less likely to make an effort, complete tasks, or meet expectations.ĭespite these benefits, too much perfectionism can interfere with performance. In moderation, anxiety motivates us to get organized, work hard, make a good impression on others, and perform at our peak. The relationship between what we do and the anxiety we have about it is complicated. I included it in my book push because I thougth it fit the subject matter very well. I was not able to find a copy of this book at my local libraries for that matter any of the CWMAR libraries at all. When Perfect Isn’t Good Enough: Strategies for Coping with Perfectionism.

When Perfect Isn't Good Enough by Martin M. Antony