The Perfectionism Paradox: When High Standards Become Self-Sabotage

Dr. Jo shares her raw, honest experience as a locum doctor in a Sydney trauma hospital, where perfectionist expectations led to sleepless nights, self-doubt, and rumination over clinical decisions. She explores the crucial difference between adaptive perfectionism that drives professional growth and maladaptive perfectionism that fuels burnout and anxiety. Drawing on Stanford WellMD research and neuroscience, Jo reveals how asking for help transformed her experience and why vulnerability creates psychological safety for entire healthcare teams. This episode offers practical tools for managing perfectionist tendencies, including movement strategies, sleep hygiene techniques, and reframing methods that prioritize patient care over ego protection. Resources:Join the free Healthcare Leadership Hub: https://bit.ly/3LAIDqqConnect with Dr Jo on Instagram: www.instagram.com/burnoutrecoverydrConnect with Dr Jo on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/drjobraidWebsite: https://drjobraid.com Drs4Drs: 1300 374 377Lifeline: 13 11 14See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.