3"A brilliant book...a must-read for the frazzled perfectionist." --Thomas Curran, PhD, leading perfectionism researcher and author of The Perfection Trap

Break free of toxic perfectionism by cultivating emotional courage and self-compassion to face life's challenges with a 6-step program.

In today's high-pressure society, we are constantly fed a fable of individualism, exceptionalism, determination, and ingenuity and taught a mythology of grin and bear it; no pain, no gain; and hard work pays off, despite the fact that the conditions for success are unpredictable and ever changing.

Psychologist Tara Cousineau claims that perfectionism is a paradox: it is the tension created by the need for belonging, a desire for excellence, and a quest for a meaningful and productive life. But perfectionism can be transformed by learning to connect both head and heart, replacing inner algorithms of comparison and criticism with self-acceptance and self-compassion.

In The Perfectionist's Dilemma, Cousineau introduces an innovative six-step solution based on the acronym EVOLVE:

• Embody the present moment.
• Validate your experience.
• Open your heart.
• Love your inner critic.
• Make a Vow.
• Spark the Energy of excellence.

EVOLVE helps readers overcome perfectionism and cultivate three essential resources--inner worth, inner humanity, and inner leadership. Through storytelling and anecdotes from recovering perfectionists who have participated in Cousineau's workshops, readers can learn to align mind, body, heart, and spirit--to become happy achievers.