Perfection is the Wrong Direction | Isabella Fons | TEDxYouth@OTHS
380,547
Published 2017-05-18
Isabella Fons is a junior at Tompkins High School and has been a passionate member of her schools cross country and track teams for the past 3 years. She also has a popular, self-titled youtube channel -where she creates content concerning healthy eating and lifestyle - that has grown to nearly 20,000 subscribers. Whether toeing the line at a big race or working hard to create new stories and videos for her following, Isabella has learned that with some faith, perseverance, and fun that you can truly accomplish whatever you want to. (Like giving a TEDx talk, which has been a goal of hers since middle school!)
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx
All Comments (21)
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I love to see smart, well-spoken young girls with great stories to tell! :)
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It took me a LOT longer to learn the lesson she spoke about, and she's totally right. I ran cross country too, and it took me a long time to realize that it was very unlikely I would ever win a major race. Being 9th out of 300 was my personal best and I am VERY happy with that.
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As a young girl, this was something I really needed to hear. I look up to people like her.
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"we weren't born to be perfect...we were born to be ourselves" Amen, sister girl. Thank you.
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she sounded so nervous. but what she spoke about was so true and honest. "perfectionism is just a euphemism for a mental trap." favorite quote. this societal idea of what is and needs to be perfect and the belief in that idea is what destroys one at the end of the day. bc you will soon realize that perfection does not exist because we are are human and ever growing
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"being kinda decent at something i love " love that!
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The applause was so watery... APPLAUDS LOUDLY THAT AMAZING SPEECH DESERVES MORE
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This is such an insightful talk. I do indeed see my self in her story and i was very touched when she said "Being perfect is what's stopping you from being good" I too experience many competitive aspects in my life and this talk helped in pointing out to me that i really wasn't enjoying it any more and that perhaps if i will be less competitive, strive to be helpful for society and not necessary the top helper, i could produce good for society and also live peaceful fun and healthy life. Thank you Isabella for your insightful talk! :)
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I'm 26 and I only realized last week that trying to be perfect is exactly what's been keeping me from being good in a lot of aspects of my life. This wonderful young lady already figured that out. In my opinion she's already great :D (And so well-spoken and confident on stage - I love it!)
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Great job! You are wise beyond your years! This 2x TEDx talker is giving you props. I remembered when giving my own TEDx's on this stage. My first time- I really wanted to be perfect on the stage. My second time- I stopped trying to do that. Instead, I let the speech flow and if I go off script... I simply find a way to come back to it. I also see that in my preparation for these speeches too. First time- I really wanted to find the perfect speech. Second time- I actually find the core idea and then built on it.
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Finally a video in my recommended list that I loved watching. There's no such thing as a "perfect" human. We are all flawed. If people like me learn to accept people for who they are, then we can learn how to accept ourselves for who we are too. My whole life, I was feeling down about myself.
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So well done and eloquently spoken!! I live in the weight management field and have fully adopted "progress over Perfection" for my clients (and me!). The anxiety you spoke on leads to so many eating disorders and I have made it my passion to smash scales and smash the perfection individuals are dealing from the number!! You touched my heart today, thank you for being so brave to speak on this subject and affect future generations!!!!!
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Oh my gosh she looks like carmen from the spy kids movies hahaha so pretty, great talk.
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Oh my gosh!!! I cant even speak to new people let alone be on stage just talking!!! I admire this girl~
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This was so great to watch after my daughter placed 5th out of 40 something kids in a triathlon today. She was quite upset that she didn't place 1,2 or 3rd. She didn't reach her goal. Her attitude was very poor therefore in the end it was not even fun. Not sure since she is only 10 years old if she would even watch this but I loved this TEDx talk. Very well done!
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Thank God Isabella realiste this so early in life đđ Proud of this imperfect but awesome and wise generation đđ„
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One of the best TED talk I've heard...and I've heard a lot! Beautiful "data" with a soul....because just as a picture paints a thousand words, a story like this says so much more than the mere words in themselves. If everyone in this country heard this talk and truly took in it's message, I believe at least half of our problems would disappear. :)
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I'm glad my mom has taught me and my siblings to forget perfection and focus on simply doing our best. It's made my life a lot easier compared to others around me who have to reach sometimes impossible expectations.
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Thanks for sharing it with us. That really is good enough to make my day!
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I am so glad that I came across this Tedx Talk... Isabella was vulnerable, poised, and she provided practical wisdom! Thanks for sharing.
