Perfection is an Evil Taskmaster

The cost of perfectionism is missing out.

I’m all about doing your best, but when perfection is your taskmaster, it will suck the want-to right out of you. Pretty soon, you decide not to even try new things — missing out on all that comes with new experiences and new people. 

Progress comes with practice.

But how do you master any skill? How do you learn a new language or a musical instrument? How do you get good at cooking or tying your shoes or driving a car or playing chess?

Practice! 

You have to be awful at almost everything before you can be great at anything. In the the messy middle when the learning is hard and you’re failing and you are tempted to quit, you need to remember that progress only comes with practice and perfection is a lie. 

Give yourself permission to fail forward. Allow yourself the luxury of being awful as you gradually become accomplished. I had a coach who used to say, “Robyn, you don’t have to get it perfect, you just have to get it going!”  What freedom there is in doing the best I can and letting go of having to get it perfect. 

Done missing out. 

I’m done missing out on the fun of having new adventures because I’m afraid I’ll fail or look foolish. If you are, too, then replace the lie that perfection (this side of heaven) is achievable. Let go of the fear that you can’t try anything unless you are sure you’ll be really good at it. Fail forward.

The Bible says do not be afraid over 300 times, because fear, specifically the fear of imperfection, is a weapon the enemy uses relentlessly to keep you scared and small and isolated!

Do it scared. 

Just this week, I took a big chance and launched a new course for women who’ve been called to proclaim Jesus publicly. This is a big scary leap of faith for me. 

The (recovering) perfectionist in me is screaming at the top of her lungs …

• “IT’S NOT GOOD ENOUGH YET!” 
• “WHAT IF NO ONE BUYS IT – YOU’LL LOOK LIKE AN IDIOT!” 
• “YOU CANNOT SEND ALL THOSE EMAILS — PEOPLE WILL HATE YOU!”

The truth is, I know God called me to speak and teach the Bible. Now I’m confident he wants me to teach other speakers. 

Girlfriend, I took a deep breath and pressed the launch button. I’m doing it scared and am willing to fail forward. (Feel free to pray and/or cheer for me and this new endeavor ?)

Christian Speakers Boot Camp strategically equips women to write powerful biblical messages, present those messages with confidence, and find places to deliver those messages. 

It’s SO scary to try something new, but I gotta believe God is leading this.

Replace the lie in your head that you can’t try anything new because you’ll look foolish if you’re not perfect. Silence the screaming perfectionist in your head with God’s truth that He is powerful enough to rescue you or redeem you or teach you even if you fail.

I’d love to hear what new thing you’re practicing as you shuck off perfectionism. Leave me a comment. I read every one. 

Verse for today:  Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21 (NIV)

Prayer: God Almighty, strip the lie of perfection from me. Restore me to do good work, and assure me that it is good enough as I do my best. Guard my heart and mind from believing that I am not worthy or that I must achieve to be accepted. 

** Registration for Christian Speakers Boot Camp closes Mon. Feb 21 at midnight. If God is calling you speak for him, let me teach you how to do that with excellence.