Andrew Hwang, Sunny Hills High School, 10th Grade
Perfection is something that not many people strive for because it’s pretty much nonexistent. A lot of people believe that striving for perfection is not a good thing as perfection is impossible to achieve for them anyway. The value of striving for perfection is that it is helpful because it is what motivates and also gives good habits.
First, striving for perfection is helpful for its great motivation. One person who strove for perfect equality between the blacks and the whites was Martin Luther King Jr.. King Jr. wanted equality and the absence of discrimination between the whites and the blacks, basically looking for a perfect and harmonious relationship between the two groups. This example signifies that the purpose of gaining a complete absence of discrimination and true equality motivated King Jr. in that he believes that the “perfect” society is capable of becoming a reality. Through King Jr. motivation he was able to achieve many great things and contribute greatly towards the path of equality and absence of discrimination between the two races.
Malala Yousafzai was a teenager who also strove for a perfect education system for young girls and used her motivation to achieve this in order to do so. The fact that Yousafzai was motivated by her plan signifies that motivation comes from the strive for perfection in that her desire for a more perfect education system compels her to step forward and advocate for her mission to allow all the girls in afghanistan to access education. Through both Yousafzai and King Jr.’s efforts to strive for perfection of a certain subject, they both gained motivation in order to push with extra effort.
Not only will the strive for perfection bring great motivation, but it will also allow the gain of good habits. When people work toward a goal, they often develop routines that help them improve over time. For example, Simone Biles, a famous Olympic gymnast, worked hard to perfect her routines. She trained for hours every day, followed a strict diet, and focused on staying mentally strong.
This example signifies that these habits helped her become one of the greatest gymnasts in the world in that even though perfection in gymnastics is almost impossible she is still able to be one of the most decorated gymnasts in the world. In the same way, students trying to get good grades learn to manage their time, study regularly, and stay focused on their goals and develop good habits over time. These habits not only help them succeed in school but also prepare them for other challenges in life
However, some people argue that striving for perfection can lead to negative outcomes, such as stress and disappointment. When individuals focus too much on achieving the impossible, they may become overwhelmed by the pressure to succeed. Popular actor Zendaya has spoken about the intense pressure she feels to deliver flawless performances and meet high expectations in her career. She revealed that constantly pushing herself to be perfect is something that she struggles with as she sometimes gets so afraid to make a mistake.
This shows that the relentless pursuit of perfection can sometimes harm a person’s well-being, even for someone as successful as Zendaya. Another example is Michael Phelps, one of the most accomplished olympians of all time, who has spoken about the immense pressure he faced to maintain his perfect record. Despite his extraordinary achievements, his relentless pursuit of perfection led to severe mental health struggles, including depression and anxiety. This example signifies that no matter how good you are at something, the striving for perfection will alway keep you under pressure in that it may not always be good and lead to a burden of constant pressure.
The constant pressure to achieve flawless results can overshadow personal happiness and create feelings of not being or doing enough, no matter how much one accomplishes. It is evident from these examples of how important balance in life is whether or not you are successful or really talented at something.
Even though perfection might not be possible, striving for it can be valuable. It can inspire people to stay motivated and build good habits, as seen in the efforts of Martin Luther King Jr., Malala Yousafzai, and Simone Biles. However, focusing too much on being perfect can also cause stress and hurt mental health, as shown by Zendaya and Michael Phelps. These examples remind us that while working toward big goals is important, it’s also necessary to find balance. The real value of striving for perfection isn’t in reaching it but in the lessons and growth that come from trying.
