Jane McKay: tackling the destruction of perfectionism

‘I’m a perfectionist’ is often a glib response given in job interviews when we’re asked to identify a weakness. We offer it up modestly, sure that it will be received as intended: a desirable trait, one showing dedication, commitment, and high quality. Yet what if that were not true? What if, in fact, perfectionism was rigid, unattainable, and damaging? Jane explains that the internal critical dialogue can be extremely destructive in its relentless messaging of not being good enough and, worryingly, her study reports that it is on the rise in students. The connection of self worth to academic performance is hugely problematic, and detrimental to well being. But there are things we can do to help, firstly in understanding the difference between striving - we want to do well, and we try hard - and concerns - we doubt ourselves and worry about what others will think if we don’t meet our own impossible standards. Helping students to understand themselves and their motivations, to have honest conversations about the value of failure, and to build trust and empathy in the classroom or in tutorials, can allow us to challenge perfectionist tendencies. And Learning Developers are perfectly (ahem) positioned for this work! The resources we mentioned Burkeman, O. (2021) Four thousand weeks: time and how to use it. Bodley Head Burkeman, O. (2024) The imperfectionist [blog] Available from: https://www.oliverburkeman.com/the-imperfectionist Curran, T. (2023) The perfection trap: the power of good enough in a world that always wants more. Cornerstone Press Flett, G. (2018) The psychology of mattering: understanding the human need to be significant. Academic Press Hewitt, P.L., Flett, G. and Mikail, S.F. (2017) Perfectionism: A relational approach to conceptualization, assessment, and treatment. Guilford Press. O’Donohue, J. Irish poet, theologian, philosopher. https://www.johnodonohue.com/  And the article we talked about McKay, J., Williams, K. and Stewart, J. (2024). “You just want a break from the hatred of failure”: the lived experience of being a student physiotherapist perfectionist and considerations for educators. Advances in Health Sciences Education 29, 893–918 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10459-023-10287-y