Book: The Perfection Paradox

Book:
The Perfection Paradox

How perfectionism prevents you from being your best self and what you can do about it

If you still think perfectionism is actually quite a good trait, let this book shake you up. Perfectionism is not good. For no one. Not for yourself, not for your results AND not good for your colleagues.

In the book The Perfection Paradox, you will discover what perfectionism actually is, what forms it takes, why we think it makes us better and how harmful it is. Plus you will get practical tips for letting go of your own perfectionism. You will also read how to deal with perfectionists on your team as a leader.

With the insights from this book, you can challenge and change the culture of perfectionism in your organization. A science-based, yet practical book for anyone striving for perfection.

With a foreword by Elizabeth Lombardo, PhD.

Who is this book for?

This book is for anyone who manages perfectionists – or may be a perfectionist themselves.

A down-to-earth and practical book that examines perfectionism and highlights its downside. In the first part, you will read what perfectionism actually is, why we think it makes us better, and what the harmful effects are. In part two, I’ll give you practical tools. Tips for letting go of your own perfectionism and handouts on how to deal with perfectionists on your team as a leader. With the insights from this book, you will be able to expose and even change a culture of perfectionism in your organization.

I hope this book is an invitation for you to be yourself. Becoming aware of how you are influenced by perfect pictures all around us. And making choices that help you let go of that perfectionism and because of that becoming better than you ever were. I hope this book is an invitation to have the conversation about humanness at work. About realism and how to grow and develop together without perfectionism. And I dream that this book is an invitation for us, as a society, to let go of the oppressive grip of perfect pictures, making space to be ourselves. Wonderful, messy human beings.

Specifications
ISBN (paperback) : 978-1-953445-42-1
Also available as eBook
Language: English
Style: paperback or eBook
Number of pages: 115
Publisher: Inspirebytes Omni Media
Release date: September 17, 2023
Price: $16.95

Order at Amazon.com

About the author
Marjon Bohré

I believe people like to be their best selves. That they enjoy belonging to other people and making a meaningful contribution to something that is important to them. That they want to contribute to organizations where they have the space to be who they really could be. A setting where there is room for humanness, for emotions and uncomfortable conversations. Where leaders have the courage to have honest conversations about what really matters. Both for people and for results.

Perfectionism is one of the greatest obstacles to humanness. An unhealthy and ineffective response pattern with detrimental effects on physical and mental health, as well as on results at work. Perfection does not exist and pursuing the unattainable destroys more the mere things that you love.

Writing this book was an invitation to be and stay myself and do what I love. That means a combination of conducting research and translating scientific insights. Collecting memories from my own life and anecdotal stories from my experience. And describe skills that can help you. For working and everyday life.

Reviews of The Perfection Paradox

"The Perfection Paradox is a readable and pleasantly written book. With great quotes and evidence-based resources, tips and tools. After reading the book, you will recognize perfectionism and know what to do about it. So yes, read this book."
- Patricia Colette, coordinator internal coaches municipality of Amsterdam

"Clear writing, instructive and relatable. The tips for setting less unachievable goals seem attainable to me as well."
Jolan Douwes, journalist and career counselor

"How readable have you written this book. And helpful, all the tips you gave. For me a reason to scrutinize the ideal picture and letting it go, step by step."
Corien Simpelaar-van der Zee, elementary school teacher

"What a great book you have written, so relatable!"
Joanne Hogendoorn, interim director at Hartenzaken

"A very enlightening book with new insights"
José Gaastra

"Your book is very useful for understanding behaviors of coachees who tend toward perfectionism. You write that it is for perfectionists, and for their managers. But as a coach I took a lot of input from it too, thanks for that!"
- Esmeralda Korteweg, executive coach

"This book contains practical tools to stop striving for ideal pictures. You won't read 'quick wins,' but skills you are invited to practice. With trial and error. To become better - not perfect, but even more yourself. That will benefit you throughout your life."
- Jiska Rook, content strategist at Essencio

Extras to the book

For professionals

What to do with your perfectionism? How do you get rid of it? Your perfectionistic pattern is probably firmly rooted in your thoughts and feelings, coloring how you perceive the world and what choices you make. Can you change that? Can that be unlearned? Fortunately, yes.

Read more in the blog and download the 10 skills as a handy reminder.

More inspiration on perfectionism

Humanness

The fresh-start effect

The “fresh-start” effect, psychologists call it. There is something magical about new beginnings. Whether that is the beginning of a new school year, the 1st of the month, a fresh Monday or Januay first. Fresh start Such a fresh start offers the opportunity to dust ...

Perfectionism

Letting go of perfectionism: how to do it?

What to do with your perfectionism? Perfectionism: how to get rid of it? Your perfectionist pattern is probably firmly rooted in your thoughts and feelings, coloring how you perceive the world and what choices you make. Can you change that? Can that be unlearned? Fortunately, ...

Organization Development

Managing perfectionists

Do you have perfectionists on your team? Always thought that was convenient and good for productivity? That one employee who always keeps going when everyone else has already gone home. Or that super-motivated colleague who never says no when you ask to take on that ...