Blog

We've all been there. Standing at the edge of an opportunity, feeling our heart race as we weigh the possibilities. Will we succeed? What if we fail? What will people think? More often than not, that nagging fear of mistakes wins out, and we choose the safer path. But what if I told you that this very instinct to avoid mistakes might be costing you more than the mistakes themselves ever could?

Growing up, were you the kid who double-checked homework three times before turning it in? The one who felt physically sick when receiving less than perfect grades? If so, you're not alone. Many high achievers find themselves trapped in what we call the perfectionist's dilemma – a cycle where the very drive that creates success also becomes a source of intense anxiety and self-doubt.

When we're young, we're like sponges, absorbing everything around us, including how the adults in our lives respond to our mistakes and achievements. Childhood criticism effects can be profound and long-lasting, even when that criticism wasn't meant to be harmful.