Does perfectionism feel like the reason you're successful and the thing that's exhausting you at the same time? In this episode, I sit down with author and workplace expert Susan Schmitt Winchester to talk about the roots of perfectionism, people-pleasing, and the constant need for external validation. Susan shares how childhood experiences follow you into the workplace, why everyday triggers send you into old patterns of fear and self-doubt, and ways to regulate your response. Tune in to learn how to loosen perfectionism's grip without giving up your ability to do great work. Check out our sponsors: Shopify - Sign up for a $1 per month trial, just go to shopify.com/anxiousachiever [http://shopify.com/anxiousachiever] Monarch - Use code ACHIEVER at monarch.com [http://monarch.com] to get 50% off your first year Whatnot - Get free shipping on your first order. Just search W-H-A-T-N-O-T in the app store and start scoring amazing deals Pebl - Take advantage of Pebl’s limited-time offer before it’s gone. Visit hipebl.ai [http://hipebl.ai] today. IM8 - Go to IM8HEALTH.com/achiever [http://im8health.com/achiever] RIGHT NOW or click on the link in the description and use code achiever for a Free Welcome Kit, five free travel sachets, plus ten percent off your order DripDrop - Right now, DripDrop is offering podcast listeners 20% off your first order. Go to dripdrop.com [http://dripdrop.com] and use promo code ACHIEVER Brevo - Get started for free today—or use code ACHIEVER50 to save 50% on Starter and Standard Plans for the first three months of an annual subscription Upwork - Visit upwork.com [http://upwork.com] right now and post your job for free.  In this Episode, You Will Learn 00:00 When perfectionism makes you feel like nothing is ever good enough. 03:15 When the need to prove yourself becomes a pattern. 07:45 How fear of failure keeps perfectionists chasing external validation. 11:45 Can your purpose become bigger than your fear of judgment? 16:15 Turning the workplace into a laboratory for emotional healing. 18:15 What “bumper car moments” can teach you about your emotional triggers. 21:15 How to regulate your response before anxiety takes over. 26:15 Are you reacting to reality or a story you've created? 27:15 The 3 steps for changing your automatic reactions at work. 33:45 Perfectionism can move mountains, but it comes at a cost. 36:00 What makes perfectionism so brittle? 38:15 Separating your adult self from the patterns that once kept you safe. 42:15 Tools for managing perfectionism at work. 45:00 Giving yourself permission not to react immediately. Resources + Links Learn more about Susan Schmitt Winchester HERE [https://susanwinchester.com/]!  Get a copy of my book - The Anxious Achiever [https://morraam.com/books] Watch the podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMl9YeZwiV56QKDJ73S6Pag]  Find more resources on our website morraam.com [http://morraam.com] Follow Follow me: on LinkedIn @morraaronsmele [https://www.linkedin.com/in/morraaaronsmele/] + Instagram @morraam [https://www.instagram.com/morraam/] Follow Susan: on LinkedIn @susanschmittwinchester [https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanschmittwinchester/] + Instagram @susanjschmittwinchester [https://www.instagram.com/susanjschmittwinchester/]