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Reflecting on our lives, we often find ourselves trapped in the quest for perfection, delaying and hesitating out of fear of failure. Here, perfectionism becomes less an ideal to strive for and more a subtle excuse that holds us back from taking meaningful action. As Ecclesiastes 11:4 in the Bible reminds us, "He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap." In our relentless pursuit of elusive perfection, we risk achieving nothing at all. 回想我们的生活，我们常常因为害怕失败而陷入追求完美的陷阱，犹豫不决、迟迟不行动。这时，完美主义不再是一个高远的目标，反而成了阻止我们前进的借口。正如《圣经》传道书11:4中所言：“观察风的，必不撒种；顾望云的，必不收割。”在对完美的执念中，我们或许最终会一无所获。 In his lecture, Professor Jordan Peterson discusses this perfectionism trap in both writing and life. He emphasizes the necessity of an "imperfect first draft," underscoring that meaningful progress stems from iterative revisions, not an impossible ideal. Only by embracing imperfection and, as Peterson puts it, being willing to “be the fool” at the start of something new, can we grow and move forward. 乔丹·彼得森教授在他的演讲中探讨了生活和写作中的完美主义陷阱。他强调了“不完美的初稿”的必要性，指出真正的进步源自反复的修改，而非一开始就追求无法实现的理想。视频传递的道理很直白，只有接受不完美，在开始新事物时愿意“做个傻瓜”并在这个基础上“迭代”，我们才能获得成长与前行的动力。00:11 - 彼得森教授谈到写作时的拖延与恐惧，强调“不完美的第一稿”至关重要。
01:49 - 引入愚者与救世主的概念，指出启动新事物需要勇于成为“愚者”。
07:00 - 分享向老师自己在高二时的重大抉择：重考高考，考入四川大学生物技术基地班，从此开启人生新篇章。
This simple idea resonates deeply with a personal decision I made during my years of high school. Faced with a choice that was daunting and uncertain, I chose to retake my college entrance exam, later attending Sichuan University to study biotechnology. Each decision along this path wasn’t a final destination, but rather an ongoing refinement, an effort to focus more sharply rather than to achieve some unchanging certainty. This journey taught me that perfectionism fades when we adopt a flexible mindset, treating each choice as a step toward growth. 这个简单的道理和我本人有着深深的共鸣。回想起高中时做出的一个个重要决定，高考后面对一个艰难且充满不确定性的选择，我决定高考复读，之后进入四川大学攻读生物技术专业。沿途的每个抉择都不是终点，而是一次聚焦的调整，朝向更清晰的目标前进，而不是追求某种固定的确定性——追求清晰度，而非确定性。这段旅程让我明白，当我们以开放的心态去看待每一个选择，完美主义便会逐渐消退。 As in writing, learning, and life’s pivotal moments, it’s wise to see choices not as singular bets, but as steps in an iterative journey. Whether memorizing vocabulary, reading English literature, or navigating life’s crossroads, we should carry a light burden, adjusting our focus at each stage, and embracing the imperfect yet purposeful spiral that marks our path. 在写作、学习和人生的关键时刻，我们都应将选择视为一段不断前进的旅程，而不是一次性的豪赌。无论是背单词、阅读原版文学，还是应对人生的岔路口，我们都应轻装上阵，在每个阶段调整重点，接受这条不完美但目标明确的螺旋式上升之路。 In my 13 years of teaching, I’ve encouraged students to embrace a disciplined yet relaxed approach to learning. I’ve witnessed how overcoming perfectionism can alleviate anxiety and nurture resilience. In the next section, I’ll share the experiences of three students at different life stages: an elementary student, a recent college graduate, and a middle-aged professional. Their stories reveal the limitations of exam-focused education, the power of personal awakening, and the refreshing energy that new opportunities and challenges can bring. 在我13年的教学生涯中，我鼓励学生在学习上既有规律又保持松弛的心态。我亲眼目睹了克服完美主义如何减轻焦虑并培养坚韧。在接下来的内容中，我将分享三位不同人生阶段的学生经历：一位小学生、一位刚毕业的大学生以及一位中年职场人。他们的故事揭示了应试教育的局限性、个人觉醒的力量以及新机遇和挑战带来的活力。![]()
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老师简介
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向杨，芝加哥大学社会学博士候选人。四川大学生物技术基地班本科，芝加哥大学政治学与社会学硕士。“羊说”公众号创办人，专访众多政治、社会、文化界领袖。十三年持续从事英语教学和管理。
