#340: What If Perfectionism Is the Real Reason You Feel Stuck in Midlife? with Monica Packer

Have you ever wondered if the reason you feel stuck in your midlife transition has nothing to do with a lack of discipline, and everything to do with a hidden form of perfectionism you didn't even know you had? Most of us think of perfectionism as the overachieving, driven, never-good-enough version. But there is another side of it that almost no one recognizes in themselves, the giving up, the waiting until you are sure you will not fail, the staying on the sidelines. It is the same rule underneath: if you cannot do it perfectly, it is not worth doing at all. This week, habits and identity coach Monica Packer joins the show to unpack the hidden perfectionism keeping so many of us stuck, why your identity has been misplaced onto your roles and outcomes, and what it looks like to finally come back home to yourself. **In this episode, you'll discover:** - Why so many accomplished people are perfectionists without even realizing it, and what that hidden pattern is really costing you - How your identity gets tangled up in your roles as parent, partner, or professional, and the shift that helps you reclaim who you are underneath all of them - The small, surprising practice Monica calls the "do something list" that helps you rediscover your passions, prioritize your own fulfillment, and find your way back to yourself Press play to see why the years you may have spent calling yourself lazy, undisciplined, or someone who never follows through were never really about any of that, and what to do instead so this next chapter can actually be yours. If you are navigating a midlife career or life transition and want to reconnect with your reason for being, take the Ikigai Clarity Assessment to see which of the four dimensions of your ikigai - your strengths, passions, values, and contribution - are present in your life right now and which ones need attention. And if you are ready for personalized support on your next chapter, book a Complimentary Clarity Call with Kavita. About the Guest Monica Packer is a recovering perfectionist who uncovered the truest model for lasting growth: progress made practical. As a writer, podcaster, and coach, she guides women to find sustainable growth by choosing progress over perfection. Monica's popular podcast, About Progress, is a top-rated show with millions of downloads, and she has served thousands of women online as a certified habits and identity coach. Her book, *Sticky Habits: A Woman's Guide to Reclaim Happiness, Ditch Perfectionism, and Create Habits That Last*, is out now. Monica is a mom of five, a former middle school teacher, a sourdough obsessor, and a beginning gardener. - Website: https://www.aboutprogress.com - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aboutprogress **\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_** Take the Ikigai Clarity Assessment and find out which of your four Ikigai dimensions may be out of alignment. Schedule a Clarity and Next Chapter Call with Kavita New episodes every Monday and Thursday. This podcast explores career and life transitions, helping women find clarity, confidence, and purpose through Ikigai and self-discovery. We cover navigating change, overcoming self-doubt and limiting beliefs, finding your purpose-driven career, and building the courage to start your next chapter - whether you're facing a career transition, life transition, or midlife reinvention. itsmytimenowcoaching.com | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube