The Perfectionist’s Dilemma

Description

The Perfectionist’s Dilemma
by Tara Cousineau

ISBN: 9781639109463
Hardcover, new

Publication Date 01/07/2025

Brief Description:
“A brilliant book…a must-read for the frazzled perfectionist.” —Thomas
Curran, PhD, leading perfectionism researcher and author of The Perfection
Trap Break free of toxic perfectionism by cultivating emotional courage and
self-compassion to face life’s challenges with a 6-step program. In today’s
high-pressure society, we are constantly fed a fable of individualism,
exceptionalism, determination, and ingenuity and taught a mythology of grin
and bear it; no pain, no gain; and hard work pays off, despite the fact
that the conditions for success are unpredictable and ever changing.
Psychologist Tara Cousineau claims that perfectionism is a paradox: it is
the tension created by the need for belonging, a desire for excellence, and
a quest for a meaningful and productive life. But perfectionism can be
transformed by learning to connect both head and heart, replacing inner
algorithms of comparison and criticism with self-acceptance and self-
compassion. In The Perfectionist’s Dilemma, Cousineau introduces an
innovative six-step solution based on the acronym EVOLVE: Embody the
present moment. Validate your experience. Open your heart. Love your inner
critic. Make a Vow. Spark the Energy of excellence. EVOLVE helps readers
overcome perfectionism and cultivate three essential resources—inner worth,
inner humanity, and inner leadership. Through storytelling and anecdotes
from recovering perfectionists who have participated in Cousineau’s
workshops, readers can learn to align mind, body, heart, and spirit—to
become happy achievers.