# Ep 72. Cognitive Distortions, Overthinking and Perfectionism Explained - The One Thinking Pattern Destroying Your Confidence

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/success-reimagined-with-amna-shabbir-md-7213595/ep-72-cognitive-distortions-overthinking-and-perfectionism-explained-the-one-thinking-pattern-destroying-your-confidence
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/success-reimagined-with-amna-shabbir-md-7213595/ep-72-cognitive-distortions-overthinking-and-perfectionism-explained-the-one-thinking-pattern-destroying-your-confidence.md
Podcast: [Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir MD](https://stenobird.com/podcast/success-reimagined-with-amna-shabbir-md-7213595)
Published: 2026-07-05T23:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://share.transistor.fm/s/3cf2f8b7
Audio file: https://media.transistor.fm/3cf2f8b7/eb6644ae.mp3
Processing state: not_requested
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/success-reimagined-with-amna-shabbir-md-7213595/episodes/ep-72-cognitive-distortions-overthinking-and-perfectionism-explained-the-one-thinking-pattern-destroying-your-confidence
Duration seconds: 684

## Resource

What if the voice telling you that you completely failed, that you ruined everything, that you're a terrible parent or a terrible leader, isn't telling you the truth? In this solo episode, Dr. Amna Shabbir breaks down one of the most common and most damaging thinking patterns that perfectionists face: all-or-none thinking. Also known as black-and-white or dichotomous thinking, this cognitive distortion keeps high achievers stuck in a loop of self-criticism, procrastination, and chronic exhaustion. And the worst part? It feels completely real. Drawing from cognitive behavioral therapy research and her own coaching practice, Dr. Shabbir walks you through what cognitive distortions actually are, why perfectionism makes you uniquely vulnerable to them, and a simple but powerful exercise you can use right now to interrupt the spiral. Episode Takeaways What cognitive distortions are and why they feel so convincing How all-or-none thinking shows up at work, in parenting, in relationships, and in entrepreneurship The research-backed connection between black-and-white thinking and anxiety, depression, procrastination, and burnout Why perfectionists are wired to scan for evidence of failure The Truth Test: a practical, pen-and-paper exercise to challenge distorted thoughts in real time Why "the gray area" is where excellence actually lives What metacognition is and how developing it changes everything About the Host Dr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC is a Dual Board-Certified Physician, and TEDx Speaker with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks, coaches, and consults on Perfectionism, Sustainable Success, and the well-being of High Achievers. ✨ What Type of Perfectionism is Sabotaging Your Success? Take the FREE 3-minut…

## Actions

- request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/success-reimagined-with-amna-shabbir-md-7213595/episodes/ep-72-cognitive-distortions-overthinking-and-perfectionism-explained-the-one-thinking-pattern-destroying-your-confidence/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode.
- read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/success-reimagined-with-amna-shabbir-md-7213595/ep-72-cognitive-distortions-overthinking-and-perfectionism-explained-the-one-thinking-pattern-destroying-your-confidence.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource.

A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed.

## Transcript

Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.