Includes bibliographical references (pages 241-266) and index.

Prologue -- What is perfectionism? Our favorite flaw ; Tell me I'm enough -- What does perfectionism do to us? What doesn't kill you ; I started something I couldn't finish ; The hidden epidemic -- Where does perfectionism come from? Some perfectionists are bigger than others ; What I don't have ; What she posted ; You just haven't earned it yet ; Perfectionism begins at home ; Hustle is a six-letter word -- How can we embrace imperfection in the republic of good enough? Accept yourself ; Postscript for a post-perfectionism society.

A highly regarded professor of psychology at the London School of Economics, sharing contemporary evidence, explores how the pursuit of perfection can lead to burnout and depression and shows what we can do to resist the modern-day pressure to be perfect to led a more purposeful and contented life.

Curran explores how the pursuit of perfection can lead to burnout and depression. He shows what we can do to resist the modern-day pressure to be perfect to led a more purposeful and contented life. If you have ever felt the need to compete to a level beyond reason, Curran offers the relief of slowing down to focus on what matters most. -- adapted from jacket