Overcoming Perfectionism and Procrastination To Thrive in Midlife

Life after Kids with Drs. Brooke and Lynne

If there’s one thing that will keep us from finding new purpose in this phase of life more than anything else, it’s the fear of not being perfect or good enough followed by a whopping dose of procrastination!
In this week’s episode of Life after Kids we unravel the intricate relationship between procrastination and perfectionism. We discuss how these behaviors not only affect women but also pose a universal challenge to personal growth and happiness. And, we give practical strategies for overcoming these obstacles, drawing upon our personal experiences and professional insights within the framework of Enneagram personality types.

Key Takeaways:

• Procrastination affects most people and is often linked to an underlying pursuit of perfection.
• The Enneagram personality typing system is employed to understand coping mechanisms related to perfectionism.
• Self-acceptance and internal validation are crucial to breaking free from perfectionism.
• Prioritize tasks and find satisfaction in your accomplishments, regardless of perfection.

There is freedom in the mantra "done is better than perfect." Think of it any time you feel the need to procrastinate. And watch this episode of Life after Kids in its entirety to learn the common pitfalls of aiming for perfection in various aspects of midlife.
TimestampSummary
0:00:19 | Discussion on how procrastination and perfectionism affect women
0:02:02 | Explanation of the Enneagram personality type 1 (perfectionist)
0:03:35 | Strategies for overcoming procrastination
0:06:20 | Introduction to the "eat the frog" principle
0:07:25 | Importance of prioritizing tasks and tackling the most important ones first
0:08:59 | Consideration of subconscious messages behind procrastination
0:09:17 | Subconscious message and alignment with tasks
0:09:55 | Differentiating between tasks we don't like and tasks we can't ignore
0:10:17 | Questioning if tasks are aligned with what we truly want
0:10:35 | Importance of asking the right questions
0:11:28 | Perfectionism as a defense mechanism
0:12:30 | Comparing ourselves to sanitized versions on social media
0:13:08 | The trap of chasing an unattainable ideal
0:13:51 | The truth behind perfect-looking photos
0:14:45 | Vulnerability and keeping it real
0:16:07 | The fear of appearing ignorant or out of the know
0:17:58 | Speaking up for oneself as an act of self-love
0:18:45 | Overthinking and making situations bigger in your mind
0:19:52 | The power of speaking up and realizing you're not alone
0:21:42 | Letting go of the need for perfection in appearance or home
0:22:41 | Starting imperfectly to improve and learn
0:24:13 | Working on loving yourself more than seeking validation from others
0:28:10 | Importance of self-validation for a purposeful and joyful life
0:30:19 | Step one is learning about who you are and how you contribute to the world.
0:31:09 | Being yourself allows others the freedom to do the same.
0:31:36 | If someone is not happy with your true self, it may be time to find new people in your life.
0:32:42 | Practice vulnerability with safe people and interrupt the pattern of putting up walls.

Enjoy the show, and we hope you learn a little bit more about living a fulfilling, vibrant, and meaningful Life after Kids!
If you like what you hear please rate and review the podcast, hit subscribe, and pass it along to a friend.
Making tomorrow even better than today,
Dr. Brooke and Dr. Lynne
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