150. Listen To This If… You’re Struggling With Perfectionism

Perfectionism isn't all bad — it usually means you care deeply about your work. The trouble starts when it tips into paralysis and nothing ever makes it out into the world. In this short episode, Jen and Michael share how they've learned to hit publish anyway: separating high standards from a fear of being judged, asking what you'd tell a friend in the same boat, gathering people who'll remind you your work is good enough, and using deadlines to get comfortable with "that'll do." 

Their verdict? Done is better than perfect (and salted caramel ice cream might just be the exception that proves nothing else can be perfect).

You can find more great advice here: 

• How to escape perfectionism as an excellent researcher The crucial difference between striving for excellence and chasing perfection.

• Identifying and overcoming perfectionism in academic writers Why high standards help, perfectionism doesn't, and "done is good enough" more often than we think.

• How would you treat a friend? A simple, research-backed exercise built on exactly Michael's question: what would you say to a friend, and can you say it to yourself?