Celebrating the “P” Word
Kathrine Switzer was the first woman to run a marathon in 1967. Billie Jean King was the Battle of the Sexes winner in tennis in 1973. Mia Hamm helped the U.S. Women's soccer team win the Women’s world Cup in 1991, 95, 99, and 2003. She also held the record for the most international goals scored—by a woman or man—until 2013 at 158 goals. Yes, we’re highlighting these heroines in women sports in honor of #womenshistorymonth, but also because what helps make them unparalleled athletes is also something that many other women can relate to. The “P” word. Yep, you guessed it. Perfectionism.
According to Google, perfectionism is defined as the “refusal to accept any standard short of perfection”. Needless to say, everyone’s definition of perfectionism is different. It is certainly subjective and ever-changing. And women tend to struggle more with perfectionism than men. Through dozens of interviews, scientific research and even experiments in genetic testing, books like, The Confidence Code takes on the science and art of self-assurance and how women inadvertently become perfectionists trying to overcome their struggle with it. Plus, we all know society holds women to a higher standard than men.
Speaking from experience (as a woman, a former pro athlete, a recovering perfectionist and someone with a master's in psychology) I would venture to say a common thread amongst these stellar athletes is a healthy dose of perfectionism.
Perfectionism, when not taken to an unhealthy extremes, can be very beneficial in various aspects of life. One of the primary advantages is that it can drive individuals to set high standards for themselves and strive for excellence in their endeavors. This can lead to a higher level of performance and achievement in both personal and professional settings.
It can also foster a strong sense of discipline and dedication. People with perfectionistic tendencies often exhibit a high level of commitment to their goals and are willing to put in the necessary time and effort to achieve them. This perseverance can be particularly valuable in long-term pursuits, such as advocating for societal progress. By consistently striving to meet their own high standards, perfectionists can develop a strong work ethic and a sense of resilience that can help them overcome unforeseen challenges and setbacks.
Billie Jean King is a perfect example of this! She knew that battling Bobby Riggs on a worldwide stage meant she was representing a whole lot more than just winning another match. She was able to rely on the habits she cultivated prior to this meetup. She knew she had the skills and ability to win- which was a confident mindset she had built up throughout her career. Being a perfectionist helped King become a well-rounded player. She not only worked on her skills on the court, but she maintained her mentality when things got tough.
Billie Jean King, Kathrine Switzer, and Mia Hamm, all had their own ideas of a perfect world. They were able to use their own talents and skills to break through the barriers that once held them back. By striving for their idea of perfection, they helped carve new meaning to equality in their specific sport, but also in women’s sports worldwide.
Final thoughts. Everyone has a secret superpower. Even if that superpower is disguised as something as detrimental as perfectionism. Like many superheroes, you get to decide if you want to use your superpowers for good or evil. The idea of striving for perfection helps us to be authentic in our approaches and find different ways (intentional or not) to inspire those around us. By being brave enough to try and even fail, you find what works and what doesn’t. And sometimes what does work ends up giving us incredible success whether that’s on the field, a court, in your career, or even within your own mind.
