The Perfection Trap

Author Thomas Curran
Narrator Sid Sagar
Publisher Random House
Publish Date 1 January 1970
Run Time 7 hours and 55 minutes
Format Audio
Genre Cultural studies, Popular psychology, Psychology: the self, ego, identity, personality, Self-help, personal development and practical advice, Social, group or collective psychology, Society and Social Sciences, Sociology.

This book is not purchasable in your country. Please select another book.

Listen to a sample

What to expect

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

Critics Review

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

A powerful, poignant book on the impossibly high expectations that stand in the way of happiness, health, and success. 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, bestselling author of THINK AGAIN

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

A beautiful, reflective and rigorous exploration of the causes and consequences of perfectionism. Curran doesn’t shy away from analyzing either the psycho-spiritual, or the political, cultural and economic, sources of this malaise, yielding a fascinating and panoramic analysis of perfectionism in modern capitalist societies

Grace Blakeley, author of STOLEN

Almost every page spoke to me directly . . . I loved it

Joe Wilkinson

A manifesto damning our economic system for creating and maintaining a warped set of values that drive perfectionism . . . I’ve always had a vague sense of these forces, but I’ve never seen this theory laid out so succinctly . . . As an explanation of how the destructive illusion of perfectionism arises and as a critique of the economy that creates it, this is an important book

Wall Street Journal

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

More from the same

Narrator

About xigxag

Enjoy the best audiobooks on xigxag, an innovative, user-friendly audiobook platform that makes it easy to find, purchase, and enjoy your favorite books in audio format. xigxag’s flexible pricing model offers bestselling audiobooks for less – affordable prices and the best audiobook deals with no subscription required. Give the perfect gift with our audiobook gift cards and in-app audiobook gifting options.

xigxag’s commitment to sustainability and ethical practices ensures a guilt-free listening experience from an exceptional digital book platform – an exciting alternative to big tech. Enjoy audiobooks from the only B Corp certified UK audiobook service and a leader in audiobook innovation.

Search effortlessly, read honest audiobook reviews evaluating both the book and the narration, and discover hidden gems. Download or stream top audiobook titles anytime, anywhere and get the best possible listening experience on the UK’s best independent audiobook app. Experience the future of audiobooks today.