THANK YOU FOR THIS BOOK.

Honestly, I started listening to this on audible and just could not seem to “put it down” or pause it. During all my trips from and to work and other places I listened to this book in the car and every time it spoke to me SO much I struggled with this idea of perfectionism for such a long time, I couldn’t quite describe it or explain it to people what was going on in my head I just KNEW that I was feeling like a complete failure, I had been inactive and stagnant after losing 40+ lbs and gaining it all back within like 8 months, striving to do everything perfectly exercise at 7am, run 30 min do 2 sets of abs anything short of that was a bad workout, this mindset led me to binge eating, I put extremely unrealistic and high expectations on myself and OTHERS in my life, it was ruining relationships, it was mentally draining, I didn’t know what was going on WHY I couldn’t just get it together and act like a normal person. The weight gain only increased my self hate and guilt, I had stopped doing things I enjoyed doing like hanging out in groups because I thought everyone was judging me in their heads. It was honestly just a dark and ugly place I downloaded this book from audible on my phone and I kid you not the first chapter had me hooked, Stephen explained one step at a time EXACTLY what was going on with me I could finally express myself to people and say I had been trying to be a perfectionist and I forgot my identity and humanity. I apologized to people, I started “rebellions” against my needs for approval and I FELT FREEDOM again after a lonnnng time!!! Thank you for this book. This is my first book by Stephen but I have already downloaded Mini Habits. Can’t wait. Life changing.

11 people found this helpful

Awful narration makes a decent book worse

I wasn’t sure what was worse: the awful narrator that reminded me of a sleazy salesman who used finger guns to make himself seem more likable or the frequent attempts at lame humor spread throughout the book or just the awful advice that sometimes makes you question how much you should take the rest of what he’s saying seriously. For example, he says that in order to stop anxiety, stop being anxious! Really? He also seems to like to brag about how his book is a best seller and is being translated into many languages. His insecurities really come out throughout the book, and it’s off-putting.

10 people found this helpful

Very Disappointed

Author literally spent the first 3 chapters hawking his other products. I’m not easily offended but this sent me over the edge.

9 people found this helpful

Please read 8,100,352 times

Where does How to Be an Imperfectionist: The New Way to Self-Acceptance, Fearless Living, and Freedom from Perfectionism rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is one of the most life-changing books I have ever read and listened to and read and listened to. I'm guessing it would impact anyone's life in a very positive manner, if taken to heart. Guise takes aim at perfectionism in an honest, engaging way and the wonderful advice is easily applied. Guise has a lot of down-home clarity and he impresses me with his humility and transparency regarding his own struggles with perfectionism. I highly recommend it.

What was one of the most memorable moments of How to Be an Imperfectionist: The New Way to Self-Acceptance, Fearless Living, and Freedom from Perfectionism?

The discussion of analog vs. binary ways of evaluating our efforts was particularly helpful.

What about Daniel Penz’s performance did you like?

I found it hard to believe he is not Stephen Guise! Often when listening to recordings of books, I think the narrator is not understanding what he is reading; Penz reads it like he wrote it! He has a great voice and manner of speaking.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Both - it was funny and made me laugh at the author and my own foolishness, but I also felt sad as I realized that I had created so much suffering for myself and others with my perfectionism, and that I had so little appreciated my own efforts, just because they were imperfect.

Any additional comments?

A must read for a healthy, productive life.

18 people found this helpful

Just Not Right

The narrator or the book make it really hard to follow. Is he reading a subtitle or what? The author kept mentioning avoidance is how perfectionists deal with things and they watch a ton of TV to escape how they are?? I've never heard of such an odd way to look at it and it is not how I am at all. I am a workaholic with my own business and cannot relax because I'm always trying to be perfect! I hate watching TV! I strive to please everyone and I'm fine listening about my flaws so I can change and be my best, but after 2 hours, I couldn't relate or take it anymore, between the author and the narrator, I'm glad this was one of my free starting audiobooks.

7 people found this helpful

No, no, no...

This may be a wonderful book that will be helpful to many people in overcoming perfectionistic traits. I don't know, because I had to bail on it after only 20 minutes of listening. Within this time, the author suggests that anorexia nervosa is the result of a person's desire to attain the "perfect weight." This is utter nonsense. It is a complex psychological condition, the exact causes of which are unknown, and with a likely predisposing genetic factor. For anyone to make the claim that they have done "research" to support their theories, and then propound this kind of nonsense, strikes me as someone who has taken tolerance for "imperfection" to an unacceptable level. Gah!

I wonder if the author supposes that no one with this condition will read his book? Has he considered the possibility that he might actually be doing harm to that person? People with mental illnesses are vulnerable, and their welfare should be taken into consideration by anyone discussing mental illness in any context. There is a difference between being particular about certain things and being "OCD." There is a difference between feeling nervous about entering new situations and having "social anxiety." Not everyone who is nerdy is "on the spectrum." I do wish we, as a society and as individuals, would exhibit more sensitivity in the ways we discuss mental illnesses, and avoid such casual references to things that very real people struggle with in very real ways.

15 people found this helpful

Superb - This book identified my source issue

The narrator is great.
The book content spot on in the source of anxiety and depression, forgiveness...

Will see. I just read it, but this book might have saved my life.

4 people found this helpful

Misleading Title

i thought the title was misleading. talked mostly about women's shame issues instead of perfectionism.

3 people found this helpful

Just what I needed

This book was just what I needed during a time in my life where I'm feeling stuck and insecure. I never knew how much perfectionist tendencies limited my freedom, success and happiness. The content was laid out in a way that made sense and was useful and practical. I listened twice so that I could just digest the information the first time without feeling pressure to do the action steps all in one. I am now ready to take the necessary steps to make changes in my life. I know there is no one smoking gun but this really made me think of goals, progress, success and failure in a different light. The narration was also very good (one of the things that's hit or miss with audible). I have recommended this book to several people already.

2 people found this helpful

An easy to navigate, life changing journey.

it kept me entertained and listening carefully throughout this book. I like the fact that all of the techniques were at the end for easy referencing later. I have to repeat why another reviewer said about how this book reads me. I have denied and fancied being a perfectionist For as long as I can remember. it has simultaneously been the goal in the stumbling block. this book pointed that out to me and how I want to rid myself of this ball and chain. I want to thank the other for billing to me how serious this flaw is and how prevalent it is in our society.

2 people found this helpful