Dr Christian Heim
Dr Christian Heim
#122 When Perfectionism Helps and when it Hurts
#122 When Perfectionism Helps and when it Hurts
#122 When Perfectionism Helps and when it Hurts
Tuesday 9th September 2025
Dr Heim explores when perfectionism helps or hinders success with a 10-point checklist for balance. Find your healthy edge in under 30 minutes.
14 minutes
Informative
Encouraging
Engaging
Eye-opening
Honest
About this podcast
Author:
Dr Christian Heim
Overview:
Categories:
Mindfulness & Emotional Wellbeing
Mindful Recovery
Healing Relationships
Mindfulness & Technology in Health
Navigating Intimate Relationships
Links:
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Episodes:
129 (View all)
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Episode Overview
- Perfectionism can be essential in high-stakes professions.
- A checklist helps identify when perfectionism becomes harmful.
- Healthy perfectionism works towards reasonable goals.
- Unhealthy perfectionism can lead to burnout and self-sabotage.
- Finding balance is crucial for success and personal happiness.
"Healthy perfectionism strives for reasonable goals reasonably, and it works for you."
What drives someone to seek a life without alcohol? In this engaging episode, Dr Christian Heim tackles the topic of perfectionism, exploring when it can be a lifesaver and when it becomes a hindrance. Dr Heim kicks off with real-world examples like Olympic athletes and brain surgeons, where perfectionism is not just helpful but essential. However, he doesn't shy away from discussing the dark side—how it can lead to procrastination, burnout, and self-sabotage.
Using a rapid-fire 10-point checklist, Dr Heim helps listeners identify the tipping point where perfectionism stops serving them and starts becoming a burden. He shares anecdotes about individuals like Sally, an events coordinator whose perfectionism makes her excellent at her job but causes chaos in her personal life. The episode also introduces James, a young swimmer whose perfectionist tendencies help him excel, but only when balanced correctly.
Dr Heim emphasises that healthy perfectionism strives for reasonable goals and works in your favour, while unhealthy perfectionism holds you hostage. With a sprinkle of humour and relatable examples, this episode is not just informative but also offers practical advice for anyone grappling with the pressures of being perfect. Ready to find that balance? Dive into this eye-opening discussion and learn how to make perfectionism work for you instead of against you.