Hi!  What do you think about perfectionism as a topic in psychology?  Is it useful?
Seems like it has many positive but also negative aspects.
I agree with you.  What are some of the positive aspects?  Seems it can help in motivating people to do better.
I guess if they are the normal version that they still try to be perfect BUT it doesn't compromise their self-esteem.
That's true.  Perfectionism has two sides for sure - if someone beats up on themselves, the perfectionism is holding them back.  
They can very easily set themselves up for disappointment.
Perfectionism may be helpful sometimes.  I think like you said if someone can use it in a positive way, such as setting high standards, that can be helpful.
their goals, and to derive pleasure from doing so. 
Definition.
Perfectionists strain compulsively and unceasingly toward unattainable goals, and measure their self-worth by productivity and accomplishment. Pressuring oneself to achieve unrealistic goals inevitably sets the person up for disappointment. Perfectionists tend to be harsh critics of themselves when they fail to meet their standards.
Definition Normal vs. neurotic.
D. E. Hamachek in 1978 argued for two contrasting types of perfectionism, classifying people as tending towards normal perfectionism or neurotic perfectionism. Normal perfectionists are more inclined
Perfectionism (psychology)
Perfectionism, in psychology, is a personality trait characterized by a person's striving for flawlessness and setting high performance standards, accompanied by critical self-evaluations and concerns regarding others' evaluations. It is best conceptualized as a multidimensional characteristic, as psychologists agree that there are many positive and negative aspects. In its maladaptive form, perfectionism drives people to attempt to achieve unattainable ideals or unrealistic goals, often leading to depression and low self-esteem. By contrast, adaptive perfectionism can motivate people to reach