Stop being a slave to unrelenting standards and follow this science-backed plan to achieving high performance without the baggage
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Course overview
The six R method is a science-backed, clinically informed approach to taming perfectionism. It invites you to explore your goals and priorities without the destructive influence of unrelenting standards and self-criticism in the driving seat.
Through six transformative sessions—Reflect, Recognise, Reframe, Reality-Check, Relate, and Reload—you'll explore the type and origins of your perfectionism, align with your deepest values, gain tools for conquering insecurity, and draw a roadmap for the journey ahead.
When you finish, you’ll have newfound clarity and confidence, along with a clear, personal blueprint for high performance without the emotional and cognitive baggage of perfectionism.
01
High-achieving perfectionists who are seeking a practical roadmap to help curb their unrelenting standards and silence the inner critic.
02
Overworked professionals who are ready for a change in their relationship with work but aren't clear on how to thrive without perfectionism.
03
Leaders who want to avoid falling into the perfection trap by inspiring confidence, creativity, and resilience in themselves and their teams
A crystal-clear vision of why perfectionism harms us what we can do about it.
This course will use groundbreaking science to reveal the types and origins of perfectionism. We'll explore influential theories and research studies to uncover what perfectionism is, what it does to us, and why it isn't the insignia of hyper-functionality that we mistake it for.
A detailed action plan outlining the practical steps needed to achieve high performance without perfectionism.
This course is all about action. You'll reflect, assimilate, and begin acting on science-backed, perfectionism-busting strategies from the get-go. By the end, you'll walk away with a concrete action plan for your next steps and a wealth of resources to draw upon.
A vibrant community of ambitious and compassionate perfectionists to draw support from and keep you on track every step of the way.
Accountability is key, especially for perfectionists. In this course, you'll connect with others experiencing similar insecurities and blockages, creating relationships that will support you throughout the journey and long after the last day of class.
A rich collection of research, exercises, and resources—an abundant toolkit you can revisit time and time again.
In this course, you'll receive a workbook brimming with practical exercises, reflection prompts, and educational resources—tools you can revisit whenever you find yourself succumbing to perfectionistic thoughts and feelings.
Complimentary signed copy of The Perfection Trap
That's right! Each student on this course will receive a complimentary signed copy of Dr Thomas Curran's bestselling book The Perfection Trap.
Live sessions
Learn directly from Dr Thomas Curran & Dr Anika Petrella in a real-time, interactive format.
Lifetime access
Go back to course content and recordings whenever you need to.
Community of peers
Stay accountable and share insights with like-minded professionals.
Certificate of completion
Share your new skills with your employer or on LinkedIn.
Maven Guarantee
This course is backed by the Maven Guarantee. Students are eligible for a full refund up until the halfway point of the course.
12 live sessions • 26 lessons
We begin by reflecting on perfectionism, peeling back its many layers to reveal what it truly is—and what it is not. Through interactive lectures, reflective exercises, and a deep dive into the cutting-edge science of this curious trait, you'll explore perfectionism's impact on the mind and body, its true influence on performance, and the societal pressures under which it thrives. Below is a glimpse of the questions this week's content will answer.
So... What actually is perfectionism?
And... What isn't perfectionism?
How exactly does perfectionism impact mental health?
Perfectionism leads to high performance? Right.. Right!!
Why does it feel like I need to be perfect? Am I crazy to think that??
Jul
6
Lecture 1: Reflect
Jul
8
Workshop 1: What Perfectionism Means to You
Next, we'll illuminate the many shades of perfectionism. Through interactive lectures and self-reflective exercises, you will hold a mirror to your own perfectionistic tendencies, uncovering in vivid detail where they come from and the direction in which they're projected. Along the way, we will seek answers to several questions shared below.
Is perfectionism one size fits all?
What's the source and who's the target of those unrelenting standards?
How can we do too much and yet not enough?
How do I hold a mirror to my own perfectionism?
Jul
13
Lecture 2: Recognise
Jul
15
Workshop 2: Measuring Up
Now, it's time to delve deeper. By using self-reflective tools and engaging in immersive, interactive activities based on proven therapeutic techniques, you'll have the opportunity to examine your own perfectionistic beliefs. You'll begin to build a toolbox to tackle those pesky irrational impulses, and ultimately have a definitive answer to the question: is my perfectionism really worth living in fear for? Below is a glimpse of the topics this week's content will cover.
Wait.. is that me or my perfectionism talking?
Too much of a good thing? Maximisation tipping points
Panning out for perspective
Taking back the mic
Embracing good enough (80% rule)
Jul
20
Lecture 3: Reframe
Jul
22
Workshop 3: Taking Back the Mic
Perfectionism holds us to an overwhelming standard, making it tough to accept our own limitations. This week, we'll explore how perfectionism can twist our understanding of what's considered "normal". Plus, we'll offer you some practical steps to gently break free from this distortion by embracing radical acceptance and finding the courage to let go of the things that weigh us down.
Step back, breathe, rationalise
Observing distorting thoughts without getting entangled in them
Crushing overthinking, indecisiveness and procrastination
Radical acceptance and the "letting go" of what's not in our control
Jul
27
Lecture 4: Reality-Check
Jul
29
Workshop 4: Progress Over Perfection
One of the lesser-discussed challenges of perfectionism is its potential to create social disconnection. In our quest for approval from others, we often find ourselves drifting away from those very connections. During this session, we'll take a closer look at how perfectionism can contribute to feelings of loneliness and isolation. Together, we’ll share practical steps toward embracing authenticity, vulnerability, and the beautiful art of forging deeper connections with those around us.
(In)authenticity and the perfectionist's mask
Vulnerability and the art of moving toward other people
Leaning into failure
Healthy assertiveness and the microdosing of discomfort
Aug
3
Lecture 5: Relate
Aug
5
Workshop 5: Moving Toward Others
We’ve reached the point where we can bring together all the material we've discussed throughout the course. The goal in this session is to create a comprehensive course wrapper, which serves as a strong commitment to reclaiming ourselves from the hold of perfectionism. This journey won't be simple, but the tools introduced in this session, along with prior ones, offer a foundation for reintegration, enhanced mental health, and ultimately, better performance.
Returning ourselves to ourselves
Values driving behaviour
Recasting efficiency, effectiveness, and success in our own image
Committing to a stepped approach
Aug
10
Lecture 6: Reclaim
Aug
12
Workshop 6: Committing to it
Anita Bhalsod
Charlotte Wandowski
Psychology professor and international bestselling author of The Perfection Trap
Dr Thomas Curran is the world's leading expert on perfectionism, author of the international best-selling book The Perfection Trap, and acclaimed professor of psychology.
His TED Talk on perfectionism received over three million views, he has written for major international publications such as TIME magazine and the Harvard Business Review, and his work has been featured in the BBC, New Scientist, New York Times, CNN, and Wall Street Journal.
Clinical researcher and acclaimed psychotherapist
Dr. Anika Petrella is a Registered Psychotherapist and currently serves as a Research Associate in Health Psychology at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College London.
In her clinical practice, Dr. Petrella provides therapeutic support to adolescents, adults, and couples grappling with various mental health challenges, such as anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties, with particular emphasis on the complexities of perfectionism and the emotional burden imposed by high expectations. Throughout her career, she has garnered experience across hospital, university, and private practice contexts, in addition to consulting for distinguished organisations, including LEGO and Vogue.
3-5 hours per week
Monday's lecture
2:00pm - 3:00pm EST
Interactive science-backed, lecture-style session including dedicated question time with Dr Thomas Curran.
Wednesday's workshop
2:00pm - 3:00pm EST
Practical workshop-style session with clinically-informed inner work exercises, group activities, and self-care techniques with Dr Anika Petrella.
Weekly homework
2 hours per week
Extra-curricular materials intended to cement the learnings and reflections.
Active hands-on learning
This course builds on live workshops and hands-on projects
Interactive and project-based
You’ll be interacting with other learners through breakout rooms and project teams
Learn with a cohort of peers
Join a community of like-minded people who want to learn and grow alongside you