Toxic Bosses, Perfectionism, And Healing At Work with Susan Schmitt Winchester

Does perfectionism feel like the reason you're successful and the thing that's exhausting you at the same time? In this episode, I sit down with author and workplace expert Susan Schmitt Winchester to talk about the roots of perfectionism, people-pleasing, and the constant need for external validation. Susan shares how childhood experiences follow you into the workplace, why everyday triggers send you into old patterns of fear and self-doubt, and ways to regulate your response. Tune in to learn how to loosen perfectionism's grip without giving up your ability to do great work. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com to get 50% off your first year Whatnot - Get free shipping on your first order. Just search W-H-A-T-N-O-T in the app store and start scoring amazing deals Pebl - Take advantage of Pebl’s limited-time offer before it’s gone. Visit hipebl.ai today. IM8 - Go to IM8HEALTH.com/achiever RIGHT NOW or click on the link in the description and use code achiever for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets, plus ten percent off your order DripDrop - Right now, DripDrop is offering podcast listeners 20% off your first order. Go to dripdrop.com and use promo code ACHIEVER Brevo - Get started for free today—or use code ACHIEVER50 to save 50% on Starter and Standard Plans for the first three months of an annual subscription Upwork - Visit upwork.com right now and post your job for free.  In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 When perfectionism makes you feel like nothing is ever good enough. 03:15 When the need to prove yourself becomes a pattern. 07:45 How fear of failure keeps perfectionists chasing external validation. 11:45 Can your purpose become bigger than your fear of judgment? 16:15 Turning the workplace into a laboratory for emotional healing. 18:15 What “bumper car moments” can teach you about your emotional triggers. 21:15 How to regulate your response before anxiety takes over. 26:15 Are you reacting to reality or a story you've created? 27:15 The 3 steps for changing your automatic reactions at work. 33:45 Perfectionism can move mountains, but it comes at a cost. 36:00 What makes perfectionism so brittle? 38:15 Separating your adult self from the patterns that once kept you safe. 42:15 Tools for managing perfectionism at work. 45:00 Giving yourself permission not to react immediately. Resources + Links Learn more about Susan Schmitt Winchester HERE!  Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever Watch the podcast on YouTube  Find more resources on our website morraam.com Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele + Instagram @morraam Follow Susan: on LinkedIn @susanschmittwinchester + Instagram @susanjschmittwinchester