We often think of perfectionism as a virtue; a kind of shorthand for high standards, a solid work ethic, and attention to detail. But in reality, perfectionism can be a paralyzing force — like sand ...

It's not uncommon to hear people pridefully claim that they're perfectionists. "I can't help it; I'm a perfectionist!" It is no surprise that we all get pleasure out of doing things well. It makes us ...

If you regularly scroll health and wellness content online, you've no doubt heard of optimizing. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest sci-tech news updates. Optimization usually means striving ...

When I was just getting into the startup world, I thought the best approach was to polish every detail of my work. Although my partner and I attempted to launch various projects in those early days, ...

A conversation with psychologist Ellen Hendriksen on being your own worst critic. High standards, attention to detail, and self-control are invaluable qualities at work. They’re also aspects of ...

When Gordon Flett, a psychology professor who has spent his career studying perfectionism, was bringing up his two daughters, he was determined to help them understand that they didn’t need to be ...

Editor’s note: The podcast Chasing Life With Dr. Sanjay Gupta explores the medical science behind some of life’s mysteries big and small. You can listen to episodes here. (CNN) — The start of the year ...

The line between healthy ambition and destructive perfectionism has become increasingly blurred in our achievement-obsessed culture. What begins as a desire for excellence can gradually evolve into a ...

Striving to do well is part of being human. But when “doing well” quietly shifts into “never enough,” the weight can become unbearable. For most perfectionists, that drive that initially felt like ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I write about relationships, personality, and everyday psychology. Perfectionism doesn’t belong in the bedroom, as it takes away ...