The Pressures for Perfection: Finding Balance in the Moment(s)

Wednesday, January 23, 2008, 12:45 – 2:30 p.m., New Trier High School, Room C234, 7 Happ Road, Northfield

What accounts for today’s white-knuckled striving for excellence, the desire to be perfect, as parents, as students, as athletes and as individuals? Vulnerability, mistakes, embarrassment, worries are all kept hidden, protecting the core truth about ourselves – that we are human! Competition is a pervasive, dominant life theme in our culture, gaining ever greater momentum and becoming a goal unto itself, while the virtues of cooperation, authenticity, mindfulness and intrinsic motivation are nearly invisible under our fear of lagging behind. Dr. Neal Gordon, a clinical psychologist with over 30 years experience, will present a lecture/discussion aimed at helping parents work to reconcile the power conflicts (parent/child; family/community; parent/parent, etc.) that prevent them from finding the balance needed to survive and thrive.

Flyer  Map to location.