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Flexible Perfectionism Ruler

Define "good enough" upfront before starting the task.

8 min Beginner

Goal

Break perfection trap by pre-defining the acceptable level, freeing energy to ship more rather than polish one.

Steps

1

Pick the task triggering perfectionism.

5 more steps locked

Expected Outcome

Immediate

A 30-50% drop in time-to-completion versus your usual.

Evidence base

School: CBT for Perfectionism

Founders: Paul Hewitt · Gordon Flett · Roz Shafran (2002)

Shafran's clinical perfectionism protocol shows efficacy in reducing perfectionism-linked depression/anxiety in 8 sessions.

Frequently asked questions

How long does "Flexible Perfectionism Ruler" take?

This exercise takes about 8 minutes, practiced solo in a Behavioral format.

When will I notice the effect of "Flexible Perfectionism Ruler"?

A 30-50% drop in time-to-completion versus your usual. In the short term: After two weeks, you ship more tasks at the same externally-perceived quality.

Is "Flexible Perfectionism Ruler" evidence-based?

Yes — it draws on CBT for Perfectionism (Paul Hewitt, Gordon Flett, Roz Shafran (2002)). Shafran's clinical perfectionism protocol shows efficacy in reducing perfectionism-linked depression/anxiety in 8 sessions.

Is "Flexible Perfectionism Ruler" suitable for beginners?

Its difficulty level is: Beginner. No external tools required — it can be practiced directly inside the app.

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