Ever notice how you'll curse for days when stuck in traffic but never celebrate hitting all green lights? Your brain's flaw-detection software is working overtime.

In our quest for the ideal—the perfect relationship, the flawless investment, the dream career—we often miss the opportunity to appreciate what's already working. This isn't about lowering standards; it's about recognizing diminishing returns and the opportunity costs of perfectionism.

Gratitude research shows that people who accept small imperfections actually experience more satisfaction and happiness. It's not about settling—it's about optimizing for what truly matters and recognizing the diminishing returns of chasing perfection.

Identify what's truly non-negotiable versus what's just a small cost of admission

See where you get stuck in diminishing returns of perfectionism and break out of the cycle

Reframe "tolerating flaws" as "accepting the whole, complex reality" of what you value

Ready to stop obsessing over small flaws and start enjoying the ride? Your ticket to a more satisfying life is waiting.

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Show: Growth Mindset, psychology of self-improvement

Episode: How to stop worrying about small problems that don't matter (and kill your perfectionist)

Chapters:00:00 Hardwired for problem seeking00:55 Concept of paying the price of admission01:23 Relationships04:43 Stock markets06:02 More examples08:42 Gratitude and Game Theory10:41 Perfectionism and diminishing returns12:55 Martha Nussbaum and the Descent of Love13:58 Positive and negative flywheels of gratitude and perfectionism15:48 Chang Chang and the Broken Vase Garden17:17 Send OffLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices