The Truth About Perfectionism: Why It’s Holding You Back

🎙️ Episode Summary: Perfectionism might feel like your superpower, but what if it's actually keeping you stuck? In this episode, Elyssa breaks down the origins of perfectionism, how it shapes your self-worth, and why it's tied to burnout, procrastination, and negative self-talk. She shares eye-opening insights on how to shift from perfectionism to a growth mindset, so you can step into your full potential without fear of failure.

✅ Key Takeaways:

• Perfectionism isn’t a strength—it’s a survival mechanism. As children, we learn to tie our worth to performance, often in response to the type of praise and attention we receive.
• High achievement doesn’t require perfectionism. You can strive for excellence without the anxiety and self-criticism that perfectionism brings.
• Perfectionism fuels procrastination. If you can’t do something perfectly, you may delay starting—or only start under pressure to have an excuse for imperfection.
• Negative self-talk is a sign of perfectionism at work. If you constantly criticize yourself for not meeting impossible standards, it’s time to rewrite the narrative.
• A growth mindset is key. The most successful people embrace mistakes as learning opportunities, rather than avoiding failure at all costs.
• Shame keeps you in survival mode. Perfectionism is often rooted in shame, and while it may have helped you in the past, it’s now preventing you from truly thriving.

Episode Chapters:

00:06 - Elyssa shares how perfectionism has impacted her own life and the lives of her clients.
01:58 - Understanding where perfectionism comes from—early childhood patterns and validation.
06:29 - The hidden connection between perfectionism, burnout, and self-worth.
08:41 - Why perfectionists often play small and fear stepping outside their comfort zone.
11:04 - How shame-based thinking fuels perfectionism and keeps you stuck.

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