When Good Enough Is Never Enough (Hardcover)

~ Steven Hendlin (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Contemporary American culture pressures people to be the "best," whether in business, sports, marriage, sex or parenting. While this pressure can inspire achievement, it can also lead to perfectionism and its associated problems: low self-esteem, the need to control, possessiveness, fear of failure and psychosomatic illness. In striving to be perfect, people may actually set themselves up to fail. These are the theories of clinical psychologist Hendlin ( The Discriminating Mind ), who here offers helpful advice to readers about how to attain more realistic and balanced perceptions of their potential and how to determine what is actually "good enough." Hendlin advocates the pursuit of excellence rather than perfection. This practical book includes a self-quiz and a discussion of the cultural, psychological and religious roots of the perfection ideal and its manifestations in work, play and relationships. There are also chapters on how to live with a perfectionist and in an "imperfect world."
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 280 pages
• Publisher: Tarcher (October 27, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0874777178
• ISBN-13: 978-0874777178
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,562,023 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helped me quite a bit, September 28, 2006

By	C. Graham - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I read this book many years ago and some of the tactics are with me to this day. The book really helped me get past some of my perfectionist tendencies and enjoy things more.

6 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A derivative work with little new to offer, May 25, 1999

By A Customer

WHEN GOOD ENOUGH... ought to be a valuable tool for those of us who suffer from the compulsion to have everything in our lives turn out with utter perfection. Unfortunately, while the author identifies the phenomenon, he does not offer any original prescriptions for effectively dealing with the problem. Most of what appears here can be gleaned from an article in one of the "pop" psychology magazines or in elementary readings in Zen Buddhism.

Though Hendlin reports that he too, suffers from perfectionism, the tone of this book comes through overly analytical and aloof. One does not get the sense that the author is taking anything other than a purely academic view on the subject.