Tag: success

The Problem Perfectionism Poses for Vocational Discernment

The pressure to achieve perfection, exacerbated by societal expectations and social media, can lead to anxiety and limit opportunities for undergraduate students. This fear of failure can also interfere with meaningful vocational exploration, since failure can play a meaningful role in discerning a sense of calling and purpose in life. Acknowledging failure and imperfection fosters resilience and learning and can help young people navigate their lives more meaningfully.

lightbox with message on a surface
Photo by Alexas Fotos on Pexels.com

“Perfection is the enemy.”

This simple phrase became a mantra of sorts for our cohort in graduate school. The group included students who wanted to stand out in the best way, especially during the first year. We’d compare notes and check each other’s progress in a quest for the perfect submission. After several semesters, we recognized (at last) that the perfect submission was elusive. Never-ending revisions gave way to doing our best possible (but not necessarily perfect) work, making necessary refinements, and meeting deadlines.

Continue reading “The Problem Perfectionism Poses for Vocational Discernment”

The “Indispensable Justice” of Vocation: Remembering Wendell Berry

Wendell Berry, who died at 92, was a profound thinker advocating for a redefined understanding of work, economy, and personal calling. His insights emphasize the importance of affection and meaningful engagement with community, arguing that true fulfillment comes from vocation rather than societal definitions of success. His legacy urges individuals to live with purpose and care.

When Wendell Berry died at the age of 92 on August 31, The New York Times headline called him a “Writer Who Extolled America’s Agrarian Past,” which doesn’t exactly scream relevance for those of us helping young people discern their present and future vocations. A better headline might have mentioned that Berry was a thinker who urged us to reimagine conventional ideas of work, economy, and success, and to remember the role of affection in discerning and living out our human callings.

Wendell Berry stands before the solar panels on his farm in Henry County, Kentucky. Photo by Guy Mendes, 2011.
Continue reading “The “Indispensable Justice” of Vocation: Remembering Wendell Berry”