If you’ve ever been told to “just let go” of your perfectionist tendencies, The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control: A Path to Peace and Power by Katherine Morgan Schafler is the refreshing perspective you’ve been waiting for. Selected as one of USA Today’s Best Books of 2023 and an Amazon Editor’s Pick, this groundbreaking guide redefines what it means to be a perfectionist—especially for women who are tired of being told to simply “find balance.” Drawing on her experience as a psychotherapist and former on-site therapist at Google, Schafler invites you to discover which of the five perfectionist types you are—Classic, Intense, Parisian, Messy, or Procrastinator—so you can harness your strengths instead of fighting against them.

Brimming with empathy, humor, and real-life stories, this book empowers you to embrace your perfectionism as a path to genuine peace and personal power. If you’re ready to transform your relationship with perfectionism and finally enjoy the ambition and drive that set you apart, this inspiring read is your new must-have companion.

The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control: A Path to Peace and Power

Why This Book Stands Out?

• Fresh Perspective on Perfectionism: Unlike typical self-help guides, this book doesn’t ask you to “fix” or abandon your perfectionism—instead, it teaches you how to harness it as a source of power and peace.
• Expert Insight: Written by Katherine Morgan Schafler, a renowned psychotherapist and former on-site therapist at Google, the book draws on real-life stories and clinical expertise for advice you can trust.
• Personalized Approach: Discover which of the five perfectionist types you are—Classic, Intense, Parisian, Messy, or Procrastinator—and get tailored strategies to make perfectionism work for you.
• Empowering and Relatable: With warmth, humor, and empathy, Schafler offers a supportive voice that encourages women to want more without guilt, challenging the idea that striving for perfection is a flaw.
• Critically Acclaimed: Recognized as one of USA Today’s Best Books of 2023 and selected as an Amazon Editor’s Pick, this book comes highly recommended by both readers and industry experts.
• Transformative Message: More than just a guide, it’s a love letter to ambitious women—inviting you to exchange the myth of control for genuine power and lasting peace.

Personal Experience

When I first picked up The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control, I felt seen in a way I hadn’t anticipated. Katherine Morgan Schafler’s words seemed to reach right into the heart of my own struggles with perfectionism—not as a flaw to be fixed, but as a trait to be understood and embraced. Her compassionate approach made me realize that being a perfectionist isn’t something to hide from or “recover” out of shame; it’s something I can actually work with and even celebrate.

Reading about the five types of perfectionists—classic, intense, Parisian, messy, and procrastinator—was like looking into a mirror. I could see myself, and people I love, reflected in those descriptions. The book invited me to get curious about my tendencies instead of judging them. It felt freeing to finally have language for the nuanced ways perfectionism shows up in my life, whether it’s meticulously organizing my workspace or feeling paralyzed by the pressure to get things “just right.”

What resonated most was Schafler’s message that I don’t have to abandon my high standards or ambition to find peace. Instead, I can learn to direct my perfectionism in ways that empower me, rather than drain me. This was a profound shift. I found myself thinking about how much energy I spent trying to control every outcome—and how much more powerful I could feel by letting go, even just a little.

• Relatable stories: The anecdotes throughout the book made me laugh and reflect—they felt like conversations with a wise friend who truly gets it.
• Empathy and understanding: Schafler’s empathy shines through, making me feel less alone in my perfectionist struggles and more hopeful about embracing them.
• Practical insights: The actionable advice and thought-provoking questions helped me identify which kind of perfectionist I am, and how to work with those traits rather than against them.
• Empowering perspective: The book challenged me to rethink what “control” really means, and how true power can come from trusting myself instead of micromanaging every detail.

If you’ve ever felt exhausted by the chase for “perfect,” or frustrated with advice that simply tells you to “let it go,” this book may speak to you as deeply as it did to me. It’s a warm, honest, and sometimes humorous companion for anyone who wants to turn their perfectionism into a source of strength, not stress.

Who Should Read This Book?

Are you constantly striving for perfection, yet feeling like you’re never quite enough? Do you set high standards for yourself and sometimes struggle to relax or let go? If so, The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control: A Path to Peace and Power was written with you in mind. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who recognizes themselves in these questions—or knows someone who does!

This book is especially perfect for:

• High-achieving women who are tired of being told to “just relax” or “find balance” and are seeking a more empowering approach to perfectionism.
• Anyone who identifies as a perfectionist—whether you’re a Classic, Intense, Parisian, Messy, or Procrastinator type—and wants to understand your unique patterns and strengths.
• Professionals and creatives who thrive on ambition and drive, yet sometimes feel overwhelmed by self-imposed expectations.
• Recovering perfectionists looking for genuine, practical strategies to transform perfectionism from a burden into a superpower.
• Therapists, coaches, and mentors who support high-achieving clients and want fresh, insightful tools to guide them toward self-acceptance and real power.

What sets this book apart is how it celebrates your ambition instead of telling you to dim your light. Katherine Morgan Schafler’s compassionate, witty, and relatable approach helps you understand the why behind your perfectionism and teaches you how to harness it for growth, peace, and fulfillment. If you’re ready to stop fighting your perfectionist tendencies and start embracing them, this is the guide you’ve been waiting for!

The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control: A Path to Peace and Power

Key Takeaways

If you’re curious about what makes The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control: A Path to Peace and Power by Katherine Morgan Schafler both insightful and empowering, here are the biggest takeaways you’ll find inside:

• Perfectionism isn’t the enemy: The book challenges the common belief that perfectionism is inherently negative, showing that it can be a source of strength and fulfillment when understood and managed well.
• Discover your perfectionist type: You’ll learn about five unique perfectionist profiles—Classic, Intense, Parisian, Messy, and Procrastinator—so you can identify your own style and tailor strategies that work for you.
• Embrace your ambitions: Instead of being told to “just find balance,” the book encourages you to want more out of life, and to pursue your ambitions without guilt or shame.
• Transform your relationship with control: Schafler explains how to trade superficial control for genuine personal power, helping you let go of what isn’t serving you while gaining what truly matters.
• Practical and compassionate guidance: Through relatable stories and a warm, empathic tone, the author shares tools to help you enjoy your perfectionism, not just cope with it.
• A love letter to high-achievers: The book is written for ambitious women who want to live fully, offering validation, encouragement, and a new framework for self-acceptance and growth.

Whether you identify as a perfectionist or simply want to better understand yourself, this book offers a refreshing, empowering approach to living with more peace and purpose.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve ever felt weighed down by the pressures of perfectionism, The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control: A Path to Peace and Power offers a breath of fresh air. Katherine Morgan Schafler redefines what it means to be a perfectionist, showing that your drive for excellence can be a source of strength—not stress—when you learn to harness it the right way. Rather than fighting your perfectionist tendencies, this book encourages you to embrace them, turning what once felt like a flaw into a powerful asset.

• Discover your unique perfectionist profile and practical strategies tailored just for you.
• Enjoy relatable stories, humor, and heartfelt guidance from a seasoned psychotherapist.
• Feel empowered to want more out of life without guilt or hesitation.
• Learn how to exchange rigid control for authentic personal power and peace.

Whether you’re a classic perfectionist, a self-diagnosed “messy” or somewhere in between, this book will help you see yourself—and your ambitions—in a whole new light. It’s more than just a guide; it’s a compassionate companion for anyone ready to stop striving for impossible standards and start living with greater joy and fulfillment.

Don’t miss the chance to transform your relationship with perfectionism and unlock your full potential. Add The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control to your collection today and take your first step toward real peace and lasting power.