Thomas Curran
Best-selling Author, "The Perfection Trap"
Dr Thomas Curran is the world's leading expert on perfectionism, author of the best-selling book The Perfection Trap, and acclaimed professor of psychology at the London School of Economics.
His TED Talk on perfectionism received over three million views, he has written for major international publications such as TIME magazine and the Harvard Business Review, and his work has been featured in the BBC, New Scientist, New York Times, CNN, and Wall Street Journal.
Through extensive research, public speaking, consulting services, and academic instruction, Thomas is leading the global conversation on perfectionism. His mission? To uncover:
- The root of perfectionism,
- What it does to us,
- Why it's on the rise,
- And what we can do to stop it.
As a self-proclaimed perfectionist, Dr Thomas Curran is fighting against the modern-day growth imperative of 'do more, have more' and instead brings realism to the table, teaching us that the unrelenting treadmill of perfectionism is not only burning us out but ultimately destructive for our happiness and performances.
Topics
Perfectionism: truths and myths
In this session, Thomas Curran explores the science of perfectionism. Although an often-glamorized trait, research shows that it can in fact lead to mental health difficulties, reduced accomplishment, and burnout. He explains how perfectionism is not about pursuing excellence but about compensating for feeling of not being enough, which result in worry, anxiety, and procrastination due to paralysing fears of failure. All of which hinder innovation and productivity as people recoil from making mistakes, and experience strained relationships from the fear of receiving critical feedback.
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Difficulty delegating
In this session, Thomas Curran explores how the struggle to delegate tasks stems from a belief that no one else can execute them perfectly, leading to increased workload and stress. He will describe how embracing delegation and trusting subordinates fosters teamwork and allows for diverse perspectives and skill sets to flourish.
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Paralysis by fear of making mistakes
In this session, Thomas Curran described how the fear of failure stifles innovation, as individuals hesitate to take risks or pursue unconventional ideas. With a set of scientifically validated strategies, he shows how innovation thrives in environments where experimentation and learning from mistakes are encouraged.
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Burnout and the relentless pursuit of perfection
In this talk, Thomas Curran explores how the pursuit of perfection leads to burnout among individuals striving to meet unattainable goals. Using illuminating case studies and cutting-edge research, he shows how this relentless pursuit can result in procrastination and physical and emotional exhaustion, negatively impacting overall well-being and productivity.
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Procrastination and perfectionism
In this talk, Thomas Curran describes how shame, guilt, and the fear of failure can paralyze individuals from making progress, leading to procrastination as way of managing anxiety and avoiding challenging tasks that may result in the public display of one’s shortcomings. He will show how perfectionism’s relationship with procrastination unfolds and how it exacerbates anxiety and stunts growth.
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Paralysis by analysis
In this talk, Thomas Curran will explore how overanalyzing tasks can lead to indecision and paralysis, making it difficult to meet deadlines effectively. He’ll explain that while attention to detail is important, excessive analysis can impede progress and result in missed opportunities. Using evidence-based strategies, he outline show learning to trust one's instincts and establishing clear priorities can help individuals navigate tasks more efficiently and meet deadlines with confidence.
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Combatting self-criticism
In this talk, Thomas Curran will describe how self-criticism erodes morale and diminishes self-confidence. With illuminating case studies and cutting-edge research, he will show how perfectionism leads to the habituation of negative self-beliefs, which contaminates motivation and hinders personal growth. He will introduce the latest work on cultivating self-compassion and practicing gratitude, which can help people combat self-criticism, fostering a kinder outlook on work (and life) and enhancing overall well-being.
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Imposterism
In this talk, Thomas Curran will show how impostersims (vis-a-vis imposter syndrome) manifests as a persistent feeling of in adequacy despite evidence of success, causing individuals to constantly doubt their achievements and abilities. He will explain perfectionism’s close relationship with imposterism and how the two consire to undermine confidence and professional advancement. Overcoming imposter syndrome involves acknowledging one's accomplishments, seeking support from others, and reframing negative self-perceptions to embrace personal achievements with confidence. Using scientifically validated strategies, he will outline how to put these changes into practice.
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