{"id":1707,"date":"2023-11-17T13:33:28","date_gmt":"2023-11-17T13:33:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/ael3001-23\/?p=1707"},"modified":"2023-11-17T13:34:13","modified_gmt":"2023-11-17T13:34:13","slug":"in-pursuit-of-perfection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/ael3001-23\/2023\/11\/17\/in-pursuit-of-perfection\/","title":{"rendered":"In Pursuit of Perfection"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We all try our best to achieve perfection in our lives, but the truth is, absolute perfection is unattainable. Though it is common knowledge that no one can ever be perfect, there are people who set unachievable standards for themselves. It was only during my reflection that I finally admitted to myself I am one of them. Using Gibbs\u2019 reflective cycle, we will recall an event during the early stages of my work placement which made me realise that my anxiousness is deeply rooted in failing to achieve the high standards I\u2019ve set for myself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Making Business Matter. \u201cGibbs\u2019 Reflective Cyle.\u201d 2021. https:\/\/www.makingbusinessmatter.co.uk\/gibbs-reflective-cycle\/<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

My work placement in SARC Media Team began not long ago. In this work placement, we livestream concerts held in either the Sonic Lab or in the Harty Room. Our responsibilities consist of setting up and operating the cameras, preparing the livestream, directing, vision mixing and monitoring the live. Broadcasting concerts were manageable since the tasks were distributed. Having said that, we\u2019ll be reflecting on an incident which happened while multitasking on the job for the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the very start, there has been a conflict in my schedule. I had to leave concerts early to arrive on my lecture on time. I felt bad for not being able to help my team tidy the equipment so when I heard that there would be an evening concert the next day, I didn\u2019t hesitate to volunteer. This was my chance to make it up to them. The next day came and upon arriving in the Sonic Lab, I noticed that my supervisor, Aisling McGeown, and the audio supervisor were the only people present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Queen\u2019s University Belfast. \u201cSonic Arts Research Centre.\u201d 2020. https:\/\/www.qub.ac.uk\/sarc\/news\/OpportunityforSecondarySchoolPupils-JAM4-CreativeMusicTechnologyAFewPlacesLeft.html<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Even though I was aware that my team wouldn\u2019t be attending, I was expecting substitutes to assist the concert. I suddenly felt nervous, my hands started sweating, and the pressure weighed on my shoulder as realisation struck me, I would be doing the livestream alone! Yes, Aisling would be there to supervise and monitor the livestream but apart from that I would be in charge of operating PTZ (Pan, Tilt, Zoom) cameras, setting up the live and vision mixing. The fact that it was an inaugural lecture added to my uneasiness as I didn\u2019t want to make any mistake on an important event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nonetheless, I proceeded to set up the livestream and the opening was smooth sailing. It was halfway through the live when I made the mistake of showing the end slide instead of the lecture slide he was discussing. My heart was beating rapidly, and I felt my blood rushed through my body. I quickly changed it back to the camera and kept on apologising. Despite Aisling reassuring me that it was fine, I still felt like I didn\u2019t do a good job. After the concert finished, I was still thinking about the mistake, even considering an alternate reality. What if I didn\u2019t show the end slide? What if I didn\u2019t volunteer to do the live? It might\u2019ve been perfect!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No matter how much I wanted to go back in time, the past is unchangeable. However, I learnt a few things from that experience. Both good and bad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. I learnt how to multitask. According to Courage et al. \u201cmultitasking enables (and is necessary for) the high-level efficiency and productivity that are essential for successful competition in contemporary work and learning environments\u201d (6). By carrying out tasks alone that\u2019s supposed to be a team assignment, I learnt to be more efficient, productive and creative of my time.<\/li>
  2. Mistakes can be turned into learnings. As Harteis et al. claim, \u201cmistakes nevertheless offer the potential for learning through practice, experiences that could be used by organisations and by employees to improve their practices\u201d (223). I learnt that I shouldn\u2019t dwell on my mistakes, rather I should use it as a starting point to improve so I won\u2019t make the same error in the future.<\/li>
  3. Staying calm and finishing the task. One feedback that I got from Aisling was a compliment on staying calm when I made the mistake. I probably seemed calm to her as I swiftly composed myself and proceeded to do the live. Some might\u2019ve taken a step back and left the task incomplete, but I persevered and pushed through regardless of how nervous I was.<\/li>
  4. Failing to prepare means preparing to fail. I came to the concert unprepared, not knowing the details of what I would be broadcasting. I should\u2019ve done more research on it so I wouldn\u2019t have been taken aback.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    \"\"
    Queen\u2019s University Belfast. \u201cControl Room.\u201d 2020. https:\/\/www.qub.ac.uk\/sarc\/news\/OpportunityforSecondarySchoolPupils-JAM4-CreativeMusicTechnologyAFewPlacesLeft.html<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Reflection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Reflecting on it now, the anxiety I felt throughout the concert points to my fear of making a mistake. Growing up in a low-income household, education had always been important. I had been constantly told to study rigorously so I could have a good future. I had nothing against it as we saw education \u201cas the only path to climbing up a socioeconomic ladder\u201d (Nsiah 19). In our country, diploma equalled to a decent job that could feed the family good food. As unfair as it sounds, it was the way of living. So, I studied hard and, as a result, I would get good grades. But good wasn\u2019t perfect. My family didn\u2019t pressure me to get perfect scores but when I started to be at the top of my class, I noticed some changes. They started telling me \u201cI\u2019m so proud of you\u201d or they would mention to others that I was at the top of my class. That\u2019s when I realised that I had to do more to receive recognition from them, so I created high standards to keep myself in check. This attitude closely relates to the study of Ocampo et al. where they state, \u201cIndividuals with high levels of perfectionism are often preoccupied with evaluating their self\u2010worth in relation to their own exceptionally high standards of accomplishment and productivity\u201d (48). Some may view the anxiety I felt irrelevant, but for people like me, situations \u201cwhich presages a high frequency of mistakes\u201d (Thompson 645) are stressful. The fear of failure caused by my perfectionism was the catalyst of my anxiousness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    So, what could have I done in the situation? Before starting, I could\u2019ve asked for the concert details, so I would\u2019ve been more prepared by researching relevant information that would\u2019ve been helpful in the way I directed the live. During my free time, I could\u2019ve carefully studied the setup of the livestream and planned how I should approach the event instead of wasting the time thinking what could go wrong. More importantly, I could\u2019ve ignored the mistake I made rather than highlighting it. Keeping the thought of failure at the back of my head affected the way I performed. According to Sarah Coles, our fear of failure \u201cstunts creativity\u201d (183). This was clearly apparent in my situation as I focused more in avoiding making another mistake that I prevented myself from being creative. As Coles further claims that failure \u201cis a vital driving mechanism to the creative process, and indeed the creative person must make a lifelong commitment to failing\u201d (184). It\u2019s an interesting outlook to a failure but it makes sense. I now look at it this way, if there weren\u2019t any failure, there wouldn\u2019t be a learning; if there weren\u2019t any learning, there wouldn\u2019t be an improvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Action Plan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Having experienced such incident, I now feel confident in performing tasks alone. In the future, should this kind of problem arise again, I would know what to do. I would be better-informed about the event and the tasks I would be carrying out to prevent myself from panicking. I would also improve my multitasking skills so I could handle various responsibilities given to me at the same time. Learning more in depth how to operate equipment will also be helpful to develop these skills since it would be easier to multitask if I were more accustomed. This skill is important to me as a learner because I\u2019d be aware of what to do which will make me less anxious. In case I would make any mistake, though I would still be nervous, I wouldn\u2019t think or focus on how to prevent another mistake. Instead, I would learn from it and let it go so I could move forward without any restriction. This time, I would let my creativity be part of what I will be doing. I would also be kinder to myself, eliminating the unachievable standards I created so there would be room for mistakes which is essential to me as a practitioner because mistakes are potential learning which will lead to improvements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    To end this blog post, I want to leave you Baer and Shaw\u2019s quotation, \u201cpursuing perfection is\u2026 also an obligation to us. We form ourselves as we work toward perfection. If we tolerate mediocrity, we deny ourselves the opportunity to develop fully.\u201d (1215). This isn\u2019t implying that we should be perfect. Rather, we should continue to improve ourselves so we can achieve our full potential. Not by setting high standards for ourselves, but by understanding that mistakes are necessary for improvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Works Cited<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Baer, Markus, and Jason D. Shaw. \u201cFrom the Editors: Falling in Love Again with What We Do: Academic Craftsmanship in the Management Sciences.\u201d The Academy of Management Journal<\/em>, vol. 60, no. 4, 2017, pp. 1213-7. JStor<\/em>, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.5465\/amj.2017.40<\/a>. Accessed 16 Nov 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Coles, Sarah. \u201c\u201cFail Again. Fail Better.\u201d Failure in the Creative Process.\u201d Athens Journal of Humanities & Arts<\/em>, vol. 1, no. 3, 2014, pp. 183-92, https:\/\/www.atiner.gr\/journals\/humanities\/2014-1-3-1-Cole.pdf<\/a>. Accessed 16 Nov 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Courage, Mary, et al. \u201cGrowing up multitasking: The costs and benefits for cognitive development.\u201d Department of Psychology<\/em>, vol. 35, no. 1, 2015, pp. 5-41. ScienceDirect<\/em>, http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1016\/j.dr.2014.12.002<\/a>. Accessed 16 Nov 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Harteis, Christian, et al. \u201cThe culture of learning from mistakes: How employees handle mistakes in everyday work.\u201d International Journal of Educational Research<\/em>, vol. 47, no. 4, 2008, pp. 223-31. ScienceDirect<\/em>, doi:10.1016\/j.ijer.2008.07.003. Accessed 16 Nov 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Nsaih, Hayford. \u201cFear of Failure and the Academic Performance of Students from Low-Income Families.\u201d International Journal of Education and Social Science<\/em>, vol. 4, no. 10, 2017, pp. 19-26, https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20180410041939id_\/http:\/www.ijessnet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/3.pdf<\/a>. Accessed 16 Nov 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Ocampo, Anna Carmella, et al. \u201cThe relentless pursuit of perfectionism: A review of perfectionism in the workplace and an agenda for future research.\u201d The Job Annual Review and Conceptual Development Issue<\/em>, vol. 41, no. 2, 2019, pp. 93-234. Wiley Online Library<\/em>, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/job.2400<\/a>. Accessed 16 Nov 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Thompson, Ted, et al. \u201cImpostor fears and perfectionistic concern over mistakes.\u201d Personality and Individual Differences<\/em>, vo. 29, no. 4, 2000, pp. 629-47. ScienceDirect<\/em>, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/S0191-8869(99)00218-4<\/a>. Accessed 16 Nov 2023.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    We all try our best to achieve perfection in our lives, but the truth is, absolute perfection is unattainable. Though it is common knowledge that no one can ever be perfect, there are people who set unachievable standards for themselves. It was only during my reflection that I finally admitted to myself I am one […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1438,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1707","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorised"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/ael3001-23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1707","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/ael3001-23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/ael3001-23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/ael3001-23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1438"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/ael3001-23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1707"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/ael3001-23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1707\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1760,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/ael3001-23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1707\/revisions\/1760"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/ael3001-23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1707"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/ael3001-23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1707"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.qub.ac.uk\/ael3001-23\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1707"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}