Book Summary: How to Be an Imperfectionist

How to Be an Imperfectionist: The New Way to Self-Acceptance, Fearless Living, and Freedom from Perfectionism

By: Stephen Guise

Summary by Mounir Aswad,  

http://mouniraswad.blogspot.com/ 

Introduction 

              We all aim to achieve the best we can, and that is not bad. However, the effort on how to go about it can be problematic if it is identified with Perfectionism. For example, Perfectionism can stand in the way by delaying these initiatives under excuses of Imperfect conditions, or by ruminating on past experiences and results. This book shows you how to be imperfections to get the result you always wanted, to be super proactive and to enjoy life more.

Definitions

·       Imperfectionists aim for quantity while Perfectionist aim for quality.

·       Perfectionism is excuse generating machines.

·       Perceived safety is the "benefits" of Perfectionism.

·       Perfectionist range from “Normal” which aims for excellence to “Neurotics” where it demands perfection.

·       Perceived safety is one of "benefits" of perfectionism.

·       Perfectionist desire greatness in fear of inadequacy.

·       Perfectionism may turn up your intensity dial and interferes with subconscious operations.

·       Rumination is focusing your energy into the past with regret instead of living life happily in the present.

Signs of perfectionism

·       Concerns over the mistakes.

·       Personal standards, parental expectations and criticism, doubts about actions and organizations,
Self-oriented.

·       Unrealistic expectations.

·       Concerns over mistakes, striving for approvals.

·       Ruminations

The three types of Perfect Standards

Perfectionist tend to delay opportunities because of lack of a perfect condition of one of these 3 standards:

·       Context

·       Quality

·       Quantity.

The root cause of Perfectionist

·       Insecurities.

·       Inferiority complex.

·       Discontentment (i.e.; you don't like your life right now)

Cure for Renumeration

·       Accept that the past time is unchangeable.

·       Identify any performance related failures as chance to improve.

·       Monitor your self-talk

·       Be active.

How to improve poor self-talk

·       Seek to understand your self-talk, Stephen Covey says seek first to understand then understood.

·       Use “Could” instead of “Should”.

·       Be active in the present moment.

Pomodoro technique

·       Work 25 minutes rest 5 minutes.

·       Parkinson's law states that work expands to fill time allotted to it.

Solution to Seeking Approvals

This happens because of lack of confidence or aims to satisfy people.

·       Practice Power Postures.

·       Fake it till you make it.

·       Decrease your benchmark.

Impostor Syndrome

Also known as impostor phenomenon, impostorism, fraud syndrome or the impostor experience. It is a psychological pattern in which one doubts one's accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a "fraud".

How to eliminate your imposter syndrome, reduce your fear and reaffirms your success

·       The bindery mindset. Choose simple tasks to easily consider them a success.

·       Redefine success as a progress.

To Avoid Procrastination

·       “Just Do it”, do not overanalyze.

·       Focus on the process Not the result

Recommendations

·       URL: Author Site: https://stephenguise.com/deep-existence/

·       URL: Book Site: https://imperfectionistbook.com/

·       URL: Course: Udemy Author course on mini habits: https://www.udemy.com/course/mini-habit-mastery/

o   Udemy coupon code imperfectionist.

·       Application for timing: xtreme timer.

File Format

This summary is written using Microsoft Word 365 and utilizes Heading Categorization, however, on the internet it losses this functionality. If you are reading this on the web and would like to get the original file, email me: maswad at gmail.com. In MS Word, to navigate, click view and check Navigation Pane. Categories can be collapsed or expanded from both the navigation and from the main window.