Perfectionists, rejoice! There’s a new book in town. By the one and only Kelly Exeter.
And it’s as practically perfect as the title suggests.
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Practical Perfection / Kelly Exeter
(Swish Publishing, 2016)
If you’ve ever been told “You’re too hard on yourself” …
If you’re especially prone to overwhelm and burnout …
If your perfectionist tendencies are holding you back from getting the most out of life …
Then Practical Perfection was written for you.
I’m a striver. I’m a perfectionist.
Anyone who has visited my house and seen dusty shelves, dishes in the sink and less-than-gleaming bathroom sinks may find this hard to believe. But those of you who have attended university with me, worked with me, trained with me or rehearsed with me will be nodding along.
And that’s the first lesson of Practical Perfection. Being a perfectionist doesn’t necessarily mean you approach all endeavours with the same level of perfectionism. Depending on what type of perfectionist you are, it can manifest in your passions.
Practical Perfection is a wonderful book. It’s a no-fuss, clear, concise read that is focused on teaching, but with just enough anecdote to make it relatable. And just enough anecdote to assure readers that Kelly knows exactly what she’s writing about.
Instead of telling you how to get over your perfectionism, it gives you permission to be a perfectionist. It provides a framework for managing it so you don’t burn out, feel overwhelmed, or become the proverbial hamster on the wheel.
It’s an afternoon read, an evening read, a one-sitting read, and it’s one you’ll refer back to time and time again. It’s reassuring to think that the steps we have to take to bring perfectionism under control and make it manageable don’t fill multiple volumes. If we can read the steps to a fuss-free life in a single sitting, then taking the steps themselves simply can’t be that hard.
Standout lines:
- We were all constantly flirting with overwhelm and burnout. We seemed to think if we weren’t right on the edge, then we weren’t pushing hard enough.
- The problem with FODO (Fear of Disappointing Others) is it becomes self-perpetuating. The more we do for people, and the more we rise to meet their expectations, the more they expect from us.
- The more productive we are, the more we can do. But the more we do, the more productive we need to be.
And this is my absolute favourite line:
- We’re all good at something, or know a lot about something. Unfortunately, we tend to think that because we’re good at that thing or know about it then everyone else must be good at it or know a lot about it too. But nine times out of ten they aren’t, and they don’t.
This is my favourite line because it resonates so strongly. This was me with my love of (and knowledge of) words and language. It took a request from blogging friend Maxabella for a guest post on punctuation, and a subsequent request from Kelly herself (in her role as editor of Flying Solo) for more on the topic for me to realise that not only was this was my area of expertise, but that people actually wanted to hear about it. From me.
Cue lightbulb illuminating above my head. (Like the picture on the cover. And THAT’S how you wrap up a book review.)
Practical Perfection is a must-read for anyone who feels they take on too much in life simply because it’s expected. You can buy Practical Perfection on Kindle, as a PDF or in hardcover format. All of the details are available here.
Alternatively, you can try to win one below!
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It’s GIVEAWAY TIME!
THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED. Congratulations to Kit@lifethroughthehaze.
I have one copy of Practical Perfection to give away to a lucky reader.
To enter, simply answer this question: If you wrote a non-fiction book, what would the title be?
Bonus points given for alliterative two-word titles. Here’s my attempt: Tautological Tautology. (Hehe. Me so witty.)
{Here comes a whole lot of fine print stuff. Yawn. This competition is open to Australian entrants only, and delivery must be to an Australian address. This competition is based on skill. My judgement is final, and no correspondence will be entered into. Unless you have read Practical Perfection and would like to discuss its contents. In which case, let’s correspond! The prize is one (1) copy of Practical Perfection, valued at $17.99. Competition opens 8.00pm 18 April 2016 and closes 11.59pm 29 April 2016, AEST. Yawn. The winner will be contacted and must respond within three days to claim their prize. The winner will be announced in an update to this post when the winner has confirmed. This is not a sponsored post. I was gifted a copy of Practical Perfection, and purchased an additional copy to give away with this review. Yawn. The end. Zzzzz.}
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Have you read Practical Perfection? What did you think?
First comment!! (Haha – do you see people do that on Instagram?)
Thank you for this gorgeous lady.
THIS: “Instead of telling you how to get over your perfectionism, it gives you permission to be a perfectionist. It provides a framework for managing it so you don’t burn out, feel overwhelmed, or become the proverbial hamster on the wheel.”
is EXACTLY what I was aiming for in the book so THANK YOU for picking up on that!
You are welcome! I had a spare copy lying around … 😉
I love a book that tells me I don’t have to ‘get over’ any aspect of my personality. Totally get it.
I LOVE your absolute favorite line. It’s brilliant. We tend to undervalue our own skills quite badly sometimes.
We do, don’t we? All the time. Luckily, I have friends who never let me forget it. x
Your fave line really resonates with me! I think we all have a perfectionist streak.
As for what my non-fiction title would be, keep in mind I’d need to collaborate with experts to write it, but it would be “Get off the Internet and vaccinate your kids!”
I like that you acknowledge the requirement of experts. So you’re not going to base your book on the recommendations of Dr Google?!
FODO – that’s me to a tee! I loved Your Best Year Yet, so much so, I told all my friends about it and made them get copies. I’m such a perfectionist. My book title would be “Stop, and calm the fuck down”, something that I desperately need to do, maybe if I called a book this I might actually start doing it more often.
I loved Kelly’s first book too! That’s what made me sure PP was going to be great, too.
That is what I think… Just because it’s easy for me or I know it, so must everyone. Title of book “Eat your way to success”
With chocolate, I hope! Thanks for entering.
I haven’t read Kelly’s book yet, but having read her first one Your Best Year Yet, I know her second book will be just as riveting. My daughter (in her twenties) is a perfectionist and is so hard on herself. It’s hard to watch and impossible to stall. I often feel that although we set her up for success through her childhood (however success is perceived) that in doing so there was a whole slew of implicit implication and perceived expectations which she still tries to fulfil. We both need to read Kelly’s book! I am writing a non fiction book 😉 How to be Fabulous after Fifty.
You’re actually writing one! Thanks for sharing the title.
I absolutely loved this book and keep referring to it. I had so many lightbulb moments while reading it. It is really helping me to turn a few not so healthy things in my life around. #teamIBOT
You know you’re onto a winner when you keep going back to it. I’ve read it twice. I know I’m still not done with it.
Must purchase this book, I have spent half my life trying to fight my perfectionist nature. My book title would be….Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead! (Yes I have put a LOT of though into it, AND written it into my will that the song version will be played at my funeral, just as everyone leaves the church 🙂
HAHAHA! Classic.
I’ve read the book and need to read it again as there is so much to take away from it. I loved what Kelly said about knowing something others don’t. I’m always the first to talk myself down about something I know a lot about.
I’m right there at the front of the queue with you. x
Great review on a great book Em. Kelly’s one clever chicken.
Chuffed to know her!
I’ve struggled with calling myself a perfectionist because my house doesn’t ever look perfect, and yet with some things I definitely am, so I kind of feel relieved a little just reading this. It’s nice to know I’m not quite as weird as I thought I might be.
Not at all! You’re my kind of weird! (That was meant to be reassuring. Not sure it worked. x)
FODO! I have very bad FODO and I didn’t even realise it!
Isn’t it such a great term?
I haven’t read it so would love to win a copy! No idea what my book would be… Fucked in the head at Forty? (Or maybe Fifty cos I’m closer to the latter now!)
Ha! I’m trying to work out how the cover designer would cover the offending letters! Too funny.
I love this book too Em, so much so I have read it twice! Kelly has a wonderful way of writing that makes a reader feel like she is writing just for them. Clever and handy stuff xx
Yep, you’ve nailed it. It feels like a conversation instead of an instruction manual.
I totally need to read this book. FODO that is my biggest thing of all. Thanks for the review.
Title of my book would be His name was Ben.
Intriguing! Thanks for entering.
Congratulations, Kit! You’re the winner of this giveaway. Your book is on the way – thanks for entering!
I loved Your Best Year Yet and I love the title of your book – I bet it would be a bestseller! As for that non-fiction book, when I win the lottery, me and hubby will travel all over Australia seeing ALL the Big Things. My book will of course be called, “Big Things: Sometimes size does matter”. I love those outsize big things as much as you love alliteration!
Ha, thanks Sammie! Tautological Tautology would be a fantastically great read on things like cloying claustrophobia, tidy cleanliness and healthy wellbeing.
I have this on my TBR list but have not yet purchased a copy 🙂 If I wrote a non-fiction book it would be titled something along the lines of “Breaking Down the Wall”. One day I would love to write about my late father’s fascinating decision as an 18 year-old to leave all his family behind in Germany to travel to Australia – a two-year working holiday that turned into a lifelong decision.
Thanks for the background to the title! Sounds fascinating. Good luck!
Fantastic review Em! I have the book sitting here – just haven’t got around to reading it yet. I am a perfectionist who is very hard on herself. Every line you quoted resonated completely with me. I must read the book! xo
Yes, you must! Enjoy the read.
Taming Two Year Olds {although I’m not sure I’d be qualified to write it yet because mine is still very untamed}.
All of the lines you’ve shared above sound EXACTLY like me.
Ha! I love the idea of your title AND subtitle. Hilarious.