Say Sayonara to Perfectionism

From the author of the best-selling The 7 Secrets of the Prolific, Say Sayonara to Perfectionism! is a short volume that gets to the core of what you need to know to recognize, and overcome, perfectionism.


Perfectionism not only slows you down, it sucks the joy out of your work and life. The big mistake people make is confusing it with high standards, and since everyone wants to have high standards, the confusion leaves them powerless to tackle their perfectionism.


But perfectionism isn't the same as having high standards—not even close! And once you understand its true nature, you will be well on your way to defeating it. Author Hillary Rettig has identified 18 (to date) characteristics of perfectionism, including grandiosity, shortsightedness, over-focus on outcomes, over-identification with the work, relentless comparisons, arbitrary categorizations, and false pride. She discusses all these and more in Say Sayonara to Perfectionism!, and also shows how perfectionism fuels procrastination, underproductivity, and blocks. Then she offers solutions that will immediately help you take charge of your work, get more productive, and feel less stressed.


Say Sayonara to Perfectionism! consists of the first two chapters of The 7 Secrets of the Prolific (The Mechanics of Procrastination and Overcoming Perfectionism), plus an original chapter summarizing the other productivity techniques discussed in The 7 Secrets, including time management, optimizing your writing process, overcoming ambivalence, and coping with traumatic rejections. Those seeking comprehensive discussions of those techniques should read The 7 Secrets of the Prolific; while those wishing to focus mainly on overcoming their perfectionism will find all the information they need in Say Sayonara to Perfectionism!