Perfection…some strive for it, some say it’s impossible.
The dictionary definition of the word perfection states: the condition, state, or quality of being free or as free as possible from all flaws or defects. However, this word has a double-headed concept: one with a positive connotation, one with a negative.
People debate back and forth between whether striving for perfection is optimistic or pessimistic, but all of that depends on how it is applied within their life.
According to Tingting Fang and Fan Liu from Scientific Research, “Healthy perfectionists typically show higher levels of positive traits, processes, outcomes, and good psychological adjustment than non-perfectionists.”
In contrast, the idea of being perfect can dictate a person’s life and can ultimately cause negative outcomes.
According to Brian Swider and their team from Harvard Business Review, “[Perfectionists] are also more likely to set inflexible and excessively high standards, to evaluate their behavior overly critically, to hold an all-or-nothing mindset about their performance, and to believe their self-worth is contingent on performing perfectly.”
Whether an individual does or does not strive for perfection, their definition of “perfect” tends to vary compared to their peers. This is due to the fact that the word is subjective. This means it can depend on one’s social, moral, cultural, or personal viewpoints and standards.
Vitale Hardin and her company conducted research and concluded that 92% of people are affected by perfectionism.
When it comes down to it, of course “perfection” has a definition, but what is your definition? In the coming weeks, I will take a deeper look into the definitions that individuals in our school believe in.
For further information on these topics, visit the links below:
https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=114853
https://hbr.org/2018/12/the-pros-and-cons-of-perfectionism-according-to-research?ab=at_art_art_1x4_s03
https://www.forbes.com/sites/colleenreilly/2024/02/13/wouldnt-it-be-nice-to-be-perfect-studies-say-perhaps-not/#
Off the record: Why do we strive for perfection if it’s unattainable?
