ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on increasing well-being by developing grit and avoiding problematic perfectionism. Grit is the tendency to work towards long-term goals with a high level of interest and effort. Grit leads to accomplishment, which is a key element in Seligman’s PERMA theory of well-being. Grit may be cultivated by working at the limits of one’s competence towards a single highly valued long-term goal that is connected to some greater good. Grit may be sustained by developing short- and medium-term goals; a preferred work routine; a support network; a positive way of thinking about setbacks; and a system for regularly reviewing progress. Perfectionism is adaptive when it supports the achievement of highly valued goals. It is problematic when high standards are coupled with excessive self-criticism. Strategies, from cognitive behaviour therapy, for overcoming problematic perfectionism include challenging maladaptive perfectionistic beliefs by gathering evidence that lessen the conviction that these beliefs are true; practising self-compassion; and basing self-worth on more than one life area.
