27108661_l Perfectionism in Sports: Good or Bad?

“Practice makes perfect!” This is a saying that nearly every youth athlete has heard while struggling to master a new skill or advance performance. However, is striving for perfection really a good goal — especially for the youngest athletes? What constitutes perfection will vary from sport to sport and athlete to athlete. No matter what the case, it is vital that the athlete (as well as coaches and parents) keep in mind that perfection is a goal that is never attained — instead it’s a goal you will forever strive to achieve. After all, even at their peak, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and David Beckham all spent hours each week practicing to improve their game. Perfection was still out of reach.

With a goal that is essentially unattainable, it is important to keep an open mind and focus on the journey, not the destination. Learn more about the positives and negatives of the drive for perfection and you will better understand how you can help your child athlete achieve more, while you avoid placing undue stress on him or her.

Perfection Positives

There are benefits to encouraging a child to strive for perfection. After all, you want to raise a child with a good work ethic and one who will want to improve his or her skills. A child who is always reaching for the stars in sports will likely take that same approach to schoolwork, relationships and a future career — all of which are positive things. In addition, the quest for perfection encourages a training mindset.

Perfection Negatives

The biggest negative in the quest for perfection is that perfection is unattainable. This can lead some children to feel a sense of failure on a regular basis. Since the child is working toward something that is unachievable, it is very possible to feel overwhelmed and to get down. Some people have the type of mental makeup that allows them to feel energetic about the journey and not feel crushed when the destination isn’t reached — for others, it can be a source of constant stress and worry.

Cultivating a Balance

Balance is key. If your children value the quest for perfectionism but can appreciate the day-to-day struggles, you’ll avoid the negatives and harness the positives. Help your child accept the fact that he or she will make mistakes. Point out a favorite athlete who has missed a game-winning shot, dealt with an injury or struggled with a slump. It will bring to life another mantra: “nobody’s perfect.” Additionally, help your child to look at the big picture. There is more to his or her success than what you see today — and there is more to successthan just the numbers on the scoreboard.

The most important thing to remember is that while perfectionism would seem like a great goal, it is not exactly a goal — since there is no way to meet it. While the mantra of “practice makes perfect” bears repeating, you must remember that what’s important is the practice — not the perfect!

Brandon Capaletti is the Vice President of Cisco Athletic, a Maryland-based athletic apparel manufacturer that designs, produces and distributes custom uniforms for 18 different sports including basketball, soccer, and baseball.