As a child, I always had a goal that I always finished. If I had a class art project, I would do my very best to put in all my effort to create the best artwork I could possibly do. I persisted until I knew it was perfect.
At one point, in the fourth grade, I remember that I was doing so well that I decided to turn in two projects instead of the required one because of how great it felt. Because of this, my teachers would applaud me for my hard work, and for a ten-year-old, that feeling was wonderful.
I also played the piano. Back then, I was terrible at it. I constantly whined and complained about why I was unable to play Fur Elise perfectly and that very instant.
However, I eventually figured out that the whining would get me nowhere. Therefore, I persisted.
Now, as a college sophomore, it is difficult for me to finish a new song on the piano. I get to about the first three lines or one page, but something in the back of my mind tells me I am not doing well, and I just give up. Because of this, I know bits of incomplete songs.
At one point in high school, I turned in a poem to my teacher. He told me the idea was great, but it needed a few edits. I was astonished at the fact that he admired the possibility of what the poem could be.
Then, as I attempted to edit it, my mind told me I could not. I would stare at it for days trying to make it better. I knew it needed to be perfection before turning it in, and what I had then was in no way flawless. This poem, of what should have been a piece of art, turned into an incomplete failure.
For a time, I felt gross and disgusted with my decisions. This curse of aiming for perfection came back to hurt me with the curse of unfinished tasks and was a roadblock towards my success. Sometimes, I hate the fact that I do not get things done immediately that I choose the easier route of completion.
Obviously, this led to no source of growth, and I believe that the previously stagnant point in my life can be attributed to this attitude. Sure, choosing shortcuts and the easy way out may lead to your destination faster, but in a sense, you may not be physically and/or mentally prepared for what you are about to face.
Personally, I see my previous acts of taking the easier route as a form of incompletion because I never devoured into the full experience. As I write this, I am reminded that no one can be perfect immediately.
Everyone else had to work hard to get the results needed. One must study countless hours and put in the effort for a class in order to get the desired “A.”
If one wants to become fit, you cannot lift light weights or do cardio occasionally to expect drastic results. To maintain stronger relationships with my family and friends, I should reach out more often to depict what their relationship means to me. Looking back, I worked hard to get what I want. This persistence is what I need back in my life.
