The Perfection Trap cover art

The Perfection Trap

The Power of Good Enough in a World That Always Wants More

 Preview

Audible Standard 30-day free trial

Try Standard free
Select 1 audiobook a month from our entire collection.
Listen to your selected audiobooks as long as you're a member.
Get unlimited access to bingeable podcasts.
Standard auto renews for £5.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Perfection Trap

By: Thomas Curran
Narrated by: Sid Sagar
Try Standard free

£5.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for £12.99

Buy Now for £12.99

About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

Today, burnout and depression are at record levels, driven by a combination of intense workplace competition, the comparative world of social media, the quest for elite credentials, and helicopter parenting. Society continually broadcasts the need to want more, and that we have to be perfect to get it. Why is this a trap, and how can we escape it?

Gathering a wide range of contemporary evidence, acclaimed professor at the London School of Economics Thomas Curran calls for both a mindset shift and broader, societal change. He explores the paradoxical effects of perfectionism on everything from performance to social and financial inequality, and shows what we can do as individuals to resist the modern-day pressure to be perfect - and how we can create a culture that celebrates the joys of imperfection.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the soul-crushing need to compete for more or to be the best, The Perfection Trap is for you. Learn to prioritise what's important, meet the world where it is and strive for purpose instead of more by embracing the power of 'good enough' in your life.

'Thomas Curran is the world's leading expert on perfectionism, and he's written the definitive book on why it's rising, how it wreaks havoc on our lives, and what we can do to stop it. If you've ever found yourself fearing failure, ruminating about mistakes, or just feeling that you aren't good enough, this is a must read' Adam Grant

'A fascinating and panoramic analysis of perfectionism in modern capitalist societies' Grace Blakeley

©2023 Thomas Curran (P)2023 Penguin Audio Personal Development Personal Success Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Social Psychology & Interactions Health Mental Health Capitalism

Critic reviews

Even if you don't think of yourself as a perfectionist, this remarkable book will illuminate some insidious effects of perfectionism in your life, as well as in society . . . Research-based, wise, and practical, The Perfection Trap is a must-read (Amy C. Edmondson, Professor, Harvard Business School and author of RIGHT KIND OF WRONG)
This book will transform how you think about success. It is a must-read for anyone interested in living meaningfully and achieving lasting happiness (Jake Humphrey and Damian Hughes, creators of HIGH PERFORMANCE)
A hopeful beacon and a steady path for anyone struggling to find their footing in a world of impossible standards (Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling author of DRIVE and THE POWER OF REGRET)
Almost every page spoke to me directly . . . I loved it (Joe Wilkinson)
The Perfection Trap makes a stirring and delightful case for getting over our culture's 'favorite flaw.' Paradoxically, perfectionism is keeping us from being so much better. Thomas Curran is an accomplished scientist whose knack for empathetic storytelling is on display as he reveals the human beings - including himself - behind the statistics on perfectionism, anxiety, and the insecurity built into our economic and social systems. This book gives me hope that you, I, all of us can let go of the impossible ideals that frustrate so many lives (Jonathan Malesic, author of THE END OF BURNOUT)
An amazing piece of work (Gwyneth Paltrow)
An enjoyable read (Steve Levitt, author of FREAKONOMICS)
All stars
Most relevant
I'd been coming to the same conclusions myself in life and experimenting with tackling perfectionism. This succinctly put into words which I was not fully able to and gave me affirmation and better understanding which had alluded me until now. Thanks a lot to the author for the effort and care

Struck a chord

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This is an incredible book. It begins in a scientific self-help style, with stories interspersed with data. But then it moves to a much broader explanation of perfectionism as a cultural phenomenon, and, unlike most books in this genre, follows this logic through to societal implications and solutions. While one might criticise the practicality of these solutions, the author needs to be congratulated for having the guts to at least "go there" and, in doing so, open up a conversation about issues surrounding defectiveness and unrelenting expectations being driven largely by macro factors. Definitely worth a read if you're looking for help understanding where perfectionism comes from.

Incredible Book

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
The Perfection Trap is an audacious book that fearlessly challenges the traditional self-help genre and takes a revolutionary approach to tackling the pervasive scourge of perfectionism. With its bold insights and refreshing perspective, this book is a game-changer for anyone trapped in the relentless pursuit of more.

Thomas Curran masterfully weaves personal anecdotes, scientific research, and expert interviews to present a thought-provoking title that turns conventional wisdom on its head. From the get-go, you'll realize this is not just another run-of-the-mill self-help guide; it's a daring exploration of the human psyche inside a world that always demands more, urging listeners to take a closer look at what they're told is the "good life" - fitter, bigger, better - and ask whether, actually, that way of living is doing more harm than good.

While some listeners may initially find the ideas presented in The Perfection Trap uncomfortable, it is precisely this discomfort that signals the book's transformative power. It challenges preconceived notions and invites readers to question societal norms. This audiobook is not for those seeking life hacks and quick fixes. It is for those seeking genuine change and collective liberation from the shackles of our society's obsession with perfection.

Radical and Powerful

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I really enjoyed this book and appreciated the personal story alongside science and research. I’ve dealt with a lot of my own stuff around perfectionism and it really resonated for me. Also, very useful in my line of work as a leadership consultant and facilitator as it comes up a lot in individuals but also is ingrained in the culture of many organisations.
Only part I would disagree with is that not all life coaches preach the be positive approach. That’s just not realistic and therefore I felt it was a bit of a generalisation especially as one of the reasons I was able to unhook myself from my own perfectionist traits was with the support of a coach. They definitely didn’t take a be positive stance.

Perfect book for how not to be perfect

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Really helped my understanding of perfectionism and how not my fault!
Interesting & challenging theories on how to reduce the problem.
Well read
Fascinating book that held my attention through to the end & o think has given me permission for self compassion.

Fascinating

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews