Wake Your Dream

109 - Perfectionism: Setting Impossible Goals


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Annaliese and Alan talk about perfectionism in practical ways that actually help you in the moment. Annaliese explores how perfectionism often disguises itself as the “right way” to be, think, or live—when in reality, it slowly disconnects you from your authenticity, agency, and inner clarity. You’ll uncover how perfectionism undermines personal growth by demanding control over things you can’t control in order to succeed. Instead of helping you reach your goals, it quietly works against your true desires. Listen for how to plug back into your aligned values and support your emotional well-being on the way to your goals.

You’ll Hear About How:

  • Perfectionism can feel compelling, like it’s the only acceptable way to pursue growth or success. But notice how it makes you feel—pressured, defeated, or trapped without choices. These feelings are often signals that you’re disconnected from your true desires and natural capability.

  • Perfectionism feeds you impossible rules about life and about yourself: you can’t change your mind, you must know the right way ahead of time, you have to get it right the first time, and failure isn’t allowed. These standards don’t create effectiveness, confidence, or peace.

  • Perfectionism is a form of self-protection and self-reliance that doesn’t actually provide motivating safety, trust, or strength. Seeking control distracts you from what’s more powerful—your built-in courage to live authentically without certainty.

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    TIPS FOR NAVIGATING PERFECTIONISM:

    Perfectionism feels like pressure, stress, rigidity, and defeat because it says you need certainty to be “right.” Real freedom comes from remembering you need courage—not control—to live purposefully and effectively. And courage is always available inside you!

    1. Reflect on what you truly want and specify your aim and goal

      Caring about doing things well is healthy, but notice how you’re approaching excellence. Decide how you want the process to feel as you grow, live your life, and pursue your goals.

    2. Notice if you’re criticizing, undermining, or defeating yourself

      Self-criticism makes change harder, not easier. How you treat yourself during growth or progress matters even more than the outcome, because it's shaping you as a person.

    3. Handle your disappointments with empowerment, not punishment

      Use disappointments and mistakes to clarify your focus not disqualify you. Letting yourself experiment more freely helps you show back up with renewed belief, trust, and self-compassion instead of tearing yourself down.

       

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      Wake Your DreamBy Annaliese Seaborn