-
Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Unhealthy Perfectionism But Were Afraid To Ask Because You Think You Ought To Know Everything Already
I have a number of clients who are dealing with the pressure to live up to a “great potential,” or who are high achievers but still feel like they are failing, or who avoid activities where they might not succeed immediately. They can be extremely self-critical and anxious because they feel responsible to meet impossible…
-
Fourteen Tips For Parents of Gifted Children
Four of the top concerns I hear repeatedly from parents of gifted children are: finding appropriate schooling options, making friends/building relationships, managing intense emotions and sensitivities, and perfectionism. Here are my recommendations: 1. Look for the teachers who are more sensitive, flexible, smart, and creative. Ideally, they have some training in gifted education. But even…
-
How To Face Your Fear Of Failure
I could not have said it better myself. In the words of a courageous bloggEE: “…Fear of failure – yes, I’ve had that too, and still have. I was a perfectionist all the way to my fingertips and toes (and still am). I almost drowned in the impostor syndrome, falling into the bottomless pit of…
-
What Does Exceptional Giftedness Look Like In A Teen?
If you or your people are still wondering if giftedness exists or if identifying gifted children is only a way to create division and increase inequality, let me introduce you to Judith. She was a 16-year-old high school senior attending honors classes at a local university. Dark-haired, brown-eyed, fast talking, and extremely intense, she came…
-
Tango Lessons — The Benefits of Being Klutzy
It was 1999. I needed something new. A creative outlet. A way to meet new people and improve my social skills. I had always been attracted to dancing but had never taken classes, unless you include my brief stint with ballet at age 11 with the strict, intimidating Russian woman who terrified me. I decided…
-
Fear Of Failure, Fear Of Success, Passion For Excellence — The Complexity Of Perfectionism
Before we get into it, I have to share this moment of insight. Have you struggled with what to say when people ask you, what do you do for a living? Or they want to know, how are you? Or they ask you for your favorite book or your favorite color or your favorite documentary…