The Anxious Perfectionist: How to Manage Perfectionism-Driven Anxiety Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Description

Is your perfectionism causing you anxiety, stress, and worry? If you identify as a perfectionist, you may not see your perfectionism as a problem. But striving for unrealistic standards, basing your self-worth on meeting those standards, and engaging in persistent self-criticism will ultimately lead to anxiety, stress, worry, burnout, and unhappiness. So, how can you distinguish between "helpful" and "hurtful" perfectionism and stop holding yourself and others to unrealistically high standards? Written by two clinical psychologists, The Anxious Perfectionist shines a much-needed light on the hidden costs of "being the best," and offers essential skills based in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to help you cope with the anxiety that is driven by your perfectionism. You'll learn how your "need to be perfect" can actually hinder your productivity, and keep you from reaching your goals. You'll also learn skills to help you gain distance from negative self-talk and criticism, let go of unhelpful and self-limiting labels such as "success" or "failure," and give yourself and others permission to make mistakes while still honoring your high aspirations. If you're struggling with feelings of anxiety and stress, and suspect your perfectionism may be to blame, this guide will show you how to stop getting in the way of your own success, and live a life guided by your deepest values. Contents Foreword Introduction: The Anxiety, Stress, and Worry You Swim In Chapter 1: The Cost of Trying to Be the Best Chapter 2: When Perfectionism Gets in Your Way Chapter 3: Acknowledging the Noise Without Surrendering to It Chapter 4: Making Room for Feelings of Imperfection Chapter 5: Letting Go of Your Labels and Stories Chapter 6: Identifying What Truly Matters Chapter 7: Focusing on Process over Outcome Chapter 8: Being Kind to Yourself Chapter 9: Living the Life You Want Chapter 10: Staying on the Path You’ve Chosen Acknowledgments References About the Authors