Why do we continually strive for perfection, even though deep down we know there is NO such thing?

Answer 1

perfection means -you are happy with what you have got.

Answer 2

Here is why -

We should continually strive to be perfect more often, not for the sake of perfection, but for the sake of those (including ourselves) who have to suffer the consequences when we lack perfection.

However, perfection is indeed possible, and far more frequent than one thinks.

When someone hits a homerun, that's perfect (for the hitter).
When someone's goal is to run a mile in under 8 minutes, and he does, that's perfect.
When (if!) I type this entire paragraph without errors, I did it perfectly.

We do perfect things all the time. Most of the time, actually. We just don't give ourselves credit when we do.

Answer 3

Perfection is the end goal but the importance of having this as a goal is not in attaining it; the importance resides in drawing nearer to perfection and the experiences one undergoes in attaining perfection. Life is a progression and consequently if perfection was humanly possible life would no longer be a continual sequence of events.

Perfection from a finite point of view is impossible to attain.
Perfection from an infinite point of view is an essential property.

Answer 4

Don't underestimate your power over others. The psychological shell, into which you often retreat, is the notion that you are, somehow, very small, insignificant and highly vulnerable. This idea protects you and stops you from getting ideas above your station - and therefore suffering the embarrassment of overreaching yourself. Yet, of course, it also stops you from fulfilling your true potential. Right now, if you lay down the law, nobody will dare challenge you. Or, at least, not for long!
123456789
987654321

Answer 5

when man was first made he was perfect, but having sinned he became flawed and no longer perfect. i know this sounds a bit churchy but it sounds about right. so now what man has tried to do from then point on is to get again what he once had but can longer get or have. the only way to be perfect is to be unflawed or to be divine or godlike but thats not very likely. even when you are born u are flawed (birth marks) so people just have to accept the fact that nobodys perfect and stop striving for it (even though it is tempting at times).

Answer 6

I think it's subconsciously to keep up with everyone else. Ever notice that no matter how together you feel, often you look at other people and they just seem to have their stuff together just a bit better? Better hair, funnier, more personable, nicer car, cleaner house, whatever. I think inside we're all just a little screwed up, but of course you can't see most people's "screwed up" because it's in their heads and they cover well (as you probably do, too). So it makes you feel like they are okay and you're not--hence the pursuit of "perfection."

Just a pet theory of mine.

Answer 7

It's better to be the best we can be than to just settle with who we are. I think everyone knows that perfection is out of reach but if you keep striving for it you'll only better yourself and there's nothing wrong with that.

Answer 8

Because in striving for perfetion, a person can accomplish more than they thought possible. If you only strive for what you know is possible, you will never learn what your maximum potential is. it's like the old addage, 'It is the struggle, not the goal that is important. The struggle itself yields its own rewards".

Answer 9

Not all that many of us DO strive for "perfection." Most of us are satisfied to do the best we can, and let the chips fall where they may.

Answer 10

because there is always people around us whom we regard as 'nearer to perfection' than ourselves, and when we compare with those 'near perfect people', we tend to feel lousy, and want to strive to go a little bit nearer to perfection in order not to feel that lousy when comparing with someone else. :)) (got much experience)

Answer 11

Being closer and closer to perfection makes us happy, proud. We try to be perfect to be happy and to escape that lazy feeling due to we do not work and we become a pain in the neck for society. We also tend to be closer to perfection to impress others. Remember: with ambition and practice you become closer to perfect and so happyer.