“My imperfect voice and my imperfect story is more *powerful* than the perfect *silence* ” -Petra Kolber This was an amazing talk. I am currently trying to get over perfectionism. Thank you! Edit: I’ve edited this about four times and I think that says a lot lol

The way I cried at the end. I'm struggling to not be a perfectionist, so thank you.

Thank you, for your voice. I was always in this 'perfectionist trap'. I wanted to study it all and be the brightest student but it never felt 'good enough'. I made such ambitious goals for myself but never anticipated the time and failure it would require to be there. Every time, when i didn't quite succeed to complete my planned schedule had made me fallen into this guilt of never been good enough and everything felt falling apart. I have had anxiety, panic attacks and worse when you isolate yourself. You feel like no one will understand you and then it becomes toxic. For any student who is going through this phase- i just want you to hang in there and trust the process. It takes failure and mediocrity to be there at your perfect place but till then just be patient and trust the process.

"It is in the imperfect moments that our hears speak to each other." Beautifully true.

to be honest this talk was so perfect that made me cry!!!!

Yesssss sis, take OFF those shoes! This was so liberating to watch. I can't wait to share this with my friends and peers. You said more than enough and all that you said was not only useful but also a unique expression of you. I love this and I will continue to revisit this!

The trouble as I see it is how many of us start buying into the idea that the perfect exists. It does not because it is an ideal, it is a unicorn. This is not to say we should not strive for perfection, but we must be realistic and recognize the merits of appreciating the imperfect in pursuit of our goals. Accepting the imperfect unfreezes us by taking away the fear of failure created by the setting of unrealistically high standards. Accepting the imperfect creates resilience because we know our solutions aren't perfect and will have to be done and (in all likelihood) improved. Accepting the imperfect creates patience and persistence because we learn to keep at it, with updates, adding improvements, in the pursuit our goals. It is high time we learned to appreciate the imperfect.

Great presentation! Perfectionism requires a lot of courage to fight. Because our imperfection often leads to consequences that harm others, not just ourselves, and those others typically use shaming in their response instead of forgiveness, it is easy to fall into the trap that “people will like us more” if we are just perfect. Instead we need to be brave about pushing back and fighting for our right to learn and grow and make mistakes as we do.

I love her talk it's very powerflul and useful especially when she said perfection is a fear in a very good shoes ,and how she took of her shoes and walked barefoot in the end

Thanks, TEDx, for uploading this to YT so we perfectionists can learn from this wise woman's words. I didn't even know who she was before I watched this! But I can really connect to all the things she has said. That is the wonder of the internet. Here's my story, if anyone wants to hear it. My perfectionism manifested itself in writer's block when I was about 13. I had read a brilliant series called 'The Vampire Chronicles' and I wanted to write a novel. I felt a need, deep inside, to create something that I could call my own. But I didn't realise all the numerous drafts the average author has to write before finally getting to that final draft - the only draft their readers read. I didn't realise much at all about writing now I think on it. My dream to write a novel was quickly snuffed-out by these realisations. But I kept hoping. Dreaming. Since then, I have studied English Literature at GCSE, A Level and currently as a university degree. Still, my writer's block remains. I cannot even write a page of the first chapter. A few months ago, I received a letter in the mail with a £50 voucher attached. It said I was the top performing student of the previous year. I don't mention this to brag, but to say, in a similar way to Petra, that despite this, I still feel anxious about my third year. I start next Monday. I feel a horrible dread that I won't be good enough, that I'll let all my lecturers down, that I'll not do my best. I haven't told a soul about the letter, save for my mother - who told the rest of the family against my wishes - and I think it is because I fear that once people know, they'll expect that from me again, and then I might fail to reach that expectation. Then, there is music. The biggest dream for me. I realised how much I wanted to write songs and music when I found the right artists. Music artists who made songs that I could connect to. I am not a fan of mainstream music, so it sadly took a while for me to find these few artists, being alternative and not mainstream at all. Nearly half a year ago, I found an artist named AURORA, who is perfect in my eyes. I cannot fault her, even though she is completely natural and at ease during performances and interviews (that can be found online). Maybe that is why. She is perfect because she is imperfect, and yet she is naturally imperfect, not in a stumbling, uncomfortable way. In a free way. I yearn for that freedom, to not care about other people's expectations or criticism (bar constructive) and to believe in myself. To believe 'I am enough.' To live first, then create, as she said in a recent performance. I feel I cannot live my life to the fullest because I am constantly ailing for a creation - to make something, anything, to get a break from the constant failures.. And so I am muffled into a silence, like that which Petra speaks of. This perfectionist trap is stifling me, cramping me into a hole I can't seem to see the way out of. 'Love yourself.' 'Believe you're enough.' These pieces of advice are like myths half-heard on the wind, broken keys for a door I'm trying to unlock. It has always been a goal in my life, to create. To say, I have made something. Well, to be honest, I HAVE. Many short stories, unfinished songs, unfinished drawings/paintings. But it seems they don't count, to my perfectionist-infected mind, because they aren't 'perfect.' On the positive side, I have lots of written-down ideas for songs I could create. Probably a whole stack of papers (research, ideas, drawings, diagrams, maps) for my story (the novel I have wanted to write since early teenhood). That's the thing. I have the ideas. They spin around my mind, dancing, inspiring - and yet, when I put pen to paper or finger to piano, nothing comes. No sound, but the silence. And a silent frustration and dread that I will be like this for the rest of my life. Wasting my energy on trying to be perfect. Not even knowing how else to MAKE something without having these perfectionist thought processes that entrap me into a barrenness of creativity. I don't want to be like this anymore. So, things I am going to work on (and things anyone like-minded reading this should consider at least) are: - Willpower. Motivation. - Educating myself - on music theory particularly. - And then practicing and applying knowledge I find out, instead of avoiding this for fear of not producing something perfect. - Let myself be imperfect once in a while on purpose. Maybe then I'll see that the world won't come crashing down around me if I do. I doubt many people have the time to read such a long post, by someone they do not know. But I hope anyone in the same boat as me doesn't feel so alone. Perfectionism and solitude are not good bedfellows. Maybe my long speech here will help other people understand themselves better, or what they could do to overcome the Perfectionist Trap.

Amazing talk ,so powerful 🙏🏻 I could see myself ,trying to hide everything inside just to look perfect . Always blaming myself ,for the things I can't do ,as I'm not good enough. Currently I'm working on the idea ,just to be myself ! Not perfect ,but me.

more than half of the talk is for her explaining how perfectly she was a perfectionist

Amazing Ted talk. Starting a new job has triggered my anxiety to do things faster/better/smarter. I had a moment on Friday and broke down in tears. I realized that I don't want to do this to myself. This TT really hit home. Thank you 🙏

Good story to share! Did not have detox instructions I was expecting :) “perfectionism is fear in nice shoes” 👏

thank you. despite not experiencing any thing near as bad as what you had, this resonated so much I could cry.

This speech cemented my admiration for Petra Kolber. I discovered her easy to follow exercise videos recently and admired how encouraging and inclusive she seemed. This was a fantastic and inspiring presentation Petra. Thank you so much for daring to share your imperfections.

The first few seconds- I took that personally

Petra, I shared this with a group of hardworking high school students. They were very moved by your story. Outstanding speech!

Petra, great to see you again and to courageously break your silence. Your experience can and will help many. Thank you.

Wow...great job. I also have had that 0 to 60 sweat thing happen several times. I avoid circumstances where I think it might happen, probably missing out. The photo thing too. I didn't realize it was perfectionism but seems to make sense now. Thank You for enlightening me. I am going to work on this...but not perfectly, and I am not going to edit this post...Ha! Thanks again !!!

Most amazing opening sentence in any Ted Talk ever! Bravo!

This world needs more people like you. You trully are a great inspiration to the world. Thank you for your light.

Thank you Petra. I identified with this so much.

Especially the line 'It's not even that they make a mistake, it's that they are a mistake' really resonates with me. Thank you for this!

This is literally the best talk on perfectionism I have ever heard! Well done!

Thank you so much.

truly truly amazing, thank you!

wow i needed to see this video tonight

That's it!! Perfection kills progress and growth 🔥

Thank you for this. A friend shared it on Facebook today and it was just what I needed to hear!

That was perfect!

Thank you, Petra! I needed to hear this today. I appreciate more than you know that you shared your truth. I adore you. You're an inspiration!

Enough! This has blown my head off.

I could feel the tension and surprise with that first statement. 😬😬

It resonates so much with me, I cried. Thank you!

This almost made me cry. I resonated with this so much not knowing what could have been wrong with me all along. Thank you for having the courage to share your story.

Why is no one talking about the suddenness of that first sentence 😂😂😂😂😂😂 lmao

This is one of the best talks ever.

It's so helpful. Thanks a lot🌷🌷🌷

Thank you, that was a very welcome talk

I think this is truly the best Ted talk I've ever seen!!!

Incredible speaker! Thank you for sharing your story with courage and vulnerability XO Hugs

I really appreciate your words and encouragement. I am tired of feeling this way, and I want to seek help. Thanks so much for sharing your story. So often people such as yourself look so well rounded and happy and content, but we never really know what people are struggling with. So I want to face my fears and get help

Marvellous, thank you

Thank you thank you thank you. Needed this so much.

Thank you!!!!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU ❤

I loved every thing about this video

I can’t thank you enough

Well done - inspiring!

You have been my role model and inspiring motivation as I exercise to your videos for decades and still today you tube- I have made a motivational poster and you are in it- be wishes always

Thnx petra.. really touching speech

i loved that in the end i hope others watch this video too

Bless you!

This was amazing! Thank you so much! 💜

Lovely Talk... everything you did was beautiful... and beside the amazing message, I loved the way you delivered your talk and your very welcoming body language ..thank you Petra

Thank you ♥

Thank you Petra

Her speech was nothing short of perfect 😁😘

I LOVE THIS SO MUCH.

Thank you.

This is a really good talk, it moved me alot

I feel better now， thank u so much!

Action leads to motivation, not the other way round.

Phenomenal! What an inspiration!

I hear you and relate

WELL, THAT WAS A PERFECT AND POWERFUL SPEECH !!!

Thanks

Perfectionism is FEAR in really good shoes

Mindblowing

Eloquent, succinct, and quietly powerful. I'm going to use this excellent clip in our "Body Image and Exercise" class at Cal State Fullerton. The re-framing tips are great. This will help many individuals who are struggling with this dilemma. Thank-you.

That was an amazing talk! I was fully laughing and smiling and happy because of the way she ended her talk. Very insightful. The idea of optimalists is empowering. Thank you.

That talk was probably the most perfectly performed TED I've watched. I'm assuming she practiced at least two times to make it that way....

Very good talk, congratulations!

That was so good. This deserves way more views

wauw this is so true, great message!!!! :O :) xxxx

Good information

powerful.

This was so goood!!! 💯♥️

gracias!

Looking at this talk really brings young Blake McIver Ewing to mind. Which clearly shows to me how devastating perfectionism can be, especially when it starts in kindergarten.

Does anyone know where I can find the transcript to this TEDx? Thanks in advance :) Plus, it was the most life-changing Tedtalk I have ever listened to!

Nice jobs,thanks share

My mother is still a perfectionist and I have always failed i jad a bad arguments with her on this and because of which she has finally discarded me permanently since years and chose to be happy with her son and my dad follows her steps. I am all alone in anxiety talented but not work properly because of this perfectionism guilt in built in me . Terrible guilt that I am responsible for my state . Please help if you can .

how come this video only have 80k views

You were supposed to give her more claps than that🙄

be perfect not about success or beauty cause it is relative ... perfection is only dont make mistakes .....

I bet she perfected that speech.

We think that perfect isn't just possible, but probable. And by fixating on that perfect end state, we've lost our ability to negotiate incremental gains.

Too Busy Perfect to be present

7:30

Sorry but that WAS perfect :D

i dont kill people for be imperfect but they will be at the bottom according to their performances .....

At the end perfectionism is detoxed ... .

u don't have to be perfect. if u participated, it was enough.

I really like the subject and whats said but man the delivery is so ironic.

*watches kpop*

photographer dude so annoying - in music industry its first song, gone

When the f does she get to the point?

What now? the Lord want us to be perfect to go to Heaven..."Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect-Matthew 5:48"