Perfectionism/Expectation/Failure/Success
Mistake/Missed/Perserverance: PERFECTIONISM CAN HURT Figure skater Debi Thomas’ performance in the 1988 Olympics is cited by several experts as an example of the all- or-nothing syndrome. Thomas made a slight error in a difficult triple-jump combination in the beginning of her finale performance. Her spirits sagged visibly and soon she made major errors that cost her the gold medal. “The whole reason I’m here was to skate great,” Thomas said later, “and when I missed that combination, I knew I couldn’t skate great. I really didn’t want to stay out there anymore.” In other words, Thomas was unable to skate well once she knew she could not skate flawlessly. “Perfectionism Can Hurt,” Wisconsin State Journal, December 1, 1989
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