The The Monkey Mind Workout for Perfectionism by Jennifer Shannon

The The Monkey Mind Workout for Perfectionism by Jennifer Shannon

A 30-day cognitive workout to help you cultivate self-acceptance, resilience, and the "mental muscle" needed to thrive in an imperfect world!

Do you hold yourself-and others-to unrealistically high standards? Are you afraid of making mistakes? Do you live for to-do lists and deadlines, and yearn for flawlessness? You aren't alone. In our competitive, high-pressure world, it's natural to strive for excellence. But over time, these perfectionistic tendencies can feed the internal anxious "chatter" known as your "monkey mind." So, how can you quiet the monkey and stop feeling like you need to be perfect all the time?

In this illustrated guide, psychologist and anxiety expert Jennifer Shannon will show you how to break free from the monkey mindset that drives your perfectionism and set realistic goals; unleash creativity, joy, and productivity; and foster self-compassion and compassion for others. Most importantly, you'll learn how to give yourself permission to make mistakes and learn from those mistakes, leading to a fuller and more meaningful life.

Our monkey minds are hardwired for survival. They depend on the approval of others and the need to fit in and be accepted by the "tribe." But monkey minds can also get in the way of reaching our full potential. If you're ready to welcome imperfection and start taking risks, give this workout a try!

Jennifer Shannon, LMFT, is author of Don't Feed the Monkey Mind, The Shyness and Social Anxiety Workbook for Teens, The Anxiety Survival Guide for Teens, and A Teen's Guide to Getting Stuff Done. She cofounded the Santa Rosa Center for Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in Santa Rosa, CA. She is a diplomate of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy.

Illustrator Doug Shannon is a freelance cartoonist.