Perfectionism can lead to anxiety and depression, the case for a mid-life gap year, and more top insights

This week, the Daily Rundown is keeping you current on the world of work and the big ideas that will shape 2019 (and beyond). Read on and join the conversation.

The cost of perfectionism: Once perceived as a trait worth bragging about to potential employers, mental health professionals now say “extreme perfectionism” often sparks depression and anxiety, The Atlantic reports. And a recent study published by the journal Psychological Bulletin suggests such tendencies are on the rise, particularly among young adults. Parents and teachers have effectively pushed young people to strive for success, but they haven’t devoted enough attention to giving them the tools they will need to cope with failure. ? Here’s what people are saying ?

The case for a mid-life gap year: We think of extended trips — backpacking through Europe or hiking in South America — as the stuff of young adulthood. But more of us should consider a mid-life break, argues Sightsavers CEO Caroline Harper. After she was laid off from a lucrative job in the energy industry in her mid-40s, Harper hit the road, traveling everywhere from Antarctica to Pakistan. The experience opened her eyes to skills and interests she didn’t realize she had, and propelled her shift from the private sector to the nonprofit world.

Roomba-like robots are revolutionizing retail: The goods we buy will soon be organized, stored and delivered by Roomba-like robots with shelves and autonomous vehicles, with only a minor assist from humans, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal. This "physical cloud" is bringing goods closer to customers and delivering them at breakneck speeds. We may one day even store some of our belongings in this kind of cloud, with drones delivering our possessions to us on demand.

Want to gauge a company’s culture? Watch how they negotiate: You can get a good sense of your future employer when you sit down at the negotiating table, according to Fast Company. What are they pushing back on? Where are they flexible? These will give you clues about their values. Do they treat your questions as part of a “problem-solving process” or as just an obstacle to clear? Any red flags you notice are liable to resurface if and when you come on board. ? Here's what people are saying ?

The best talks begin with big ideas, distilled into few words, says TEDx producer Tricia Brouk. If you want to pitch yourself as a speaker at an event, explain your primary point in 15 words or fewer. Most event organizers are busy, and they are liable to disregard your pitch if you don’t make your case quickly and with force. The practice will also help you hone in on what you want to convey during your talk and what you want your audience to walk away with after you are finished.

Idea of the day: Mentors help us develop a unique voice and path within an organization, says Lockheed Martin executive vice president Michele Evans.

“Find role models in the company who you admire or whose career you might want to emulate. The critical thing is to find people who you trust.”

What's your take? Join the conversations on today's stories in the comments.

— Orlando Crowcroft