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Ever heard of Frenchman François-Marie Arouet? Well, perhaps you will recognize the man more readily by his nom de plume (pen name), Voltaire, the renowned writer, historian and philosopher who lived in the early to mid-1700s.
One of Voltaire’s more familiar phrases which has endured these many years is, in a somewhat loose translation: “Perfect is the enemy of good.”
In youth athletics, you might wonder how that can be applicable. How can perfect be the enemy of good?
Behind the idiom is the idea that when one constantly pursues perfection, falling short casts a cloud over the athlete which does not allow him or her to clearly acknowledge and appreciate all the benefits of the process and the results.
National Scouting Report scouts often see this in young athletes as well as those coaching them. Sometimes it can be hard to watch.
When athletes push themselves toward perfection, when they make mistakes or fail to reach their goals, they plunge into deep funks of disappointment and despair. It also happens when they have been pushed to the limits of their abilities by parents or coaches without receiving any credit for their efforts and achievements.
As much fun as it may appear, athletics can be a hard, critical world for youngsters. That is especially true for those wanting desperately to become elite athletes. But it does not have to be that way.
An appreciation of progress and small steps forward should be celebrated, not ignored. Adults should create environments that are challenging, but are also filled with positive feedback as our young athletes struggle through the process of getting better.
When young athletes are permitted — or required — to experience the joys of having accomplished even the smallest of benchmarks, then they are far more willing to go the extra mile. For their personal growth — athletic and psychological — they must be allowed to examine and enjoy their small accomplishments.
Sometimes, in fact, good is good enough when an athlete’s future hangs in the balance.
National Scouting Report is dedicated to finding scholarship opportunities for athletes who possess the talent, desire, and motivation to compete at the collegiate level. We’ve helped connect thousands of athletes with their perfect college.