Perfectionism is often seen as an asset. It drives people to deliver quality work, meet deadlines, and exceed expectations. That same drive can also turn into a constant source of stress, doubt, and exhaustion.
Elke Van Hoof explores perfectionism as a coping mechanism. She explains what happens in the stress response system when the bar is constantly raised and why that internal pressure is difficult to let go of.
This episode explores where the tipping point lies between healthy and maladaptive perfectionism. Using concrete experiments, Elke demonstrates how you can evolve toward a flexible way of dealing with expectations, with more room for peace of mind and self-compassion. You can’t separate that from the environment in which you work.
Perfectionism also appears to have an impact on how people connect with others. People who constantly strive for perfection are more likely to feel rejected and tend to withdraw more often. This leads to greater distance from those around them.
