Perfectionists Always Lose

Perfectionism, in psychology, is characterized by a person's striving for flawlessness and setting excessively high performance standards, accompanied by overly critical self-evaluations and concerns regarding others' evaluations.

IN OTHER WORDS, IT DOESN'T EXIST..... In fact, sometimes our "perfectionism" expectations actually become silly. For example, from history:

1512 - After four years Michelangelo completes painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, a work of unprecedented brilliance. However, the artist is frustrated with his completed work as he regrets forgoing his original design: a series of canines sitting around a table and playing a game of cards.

1776 - Thomas Jefferson pens The Declaration of Independence, one of the most important manuscripts in human history. Jefferson grew frustrated at his inability to make the treatise rhyme....

1903 - Orville and Wilbur Wright build the world's first successful airplane and pilot it a distance of 120 feet at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. ....Wilbur notes that "I could get out and run faster than this."

Concerning my own projects and expectations, whether it be refinishing furniture, trying a new quiche recipe, painting a room, I see all the flaws.... but with time realize that the flaws also give the project a character of its own. I've become easier on myself, too. Without my various personal flaws, I would be purposeless. Seriously..... It is these very flaws that have given me a better understanding of others; these very flaws have brought me to my knees and to a closer relationship with My Maker.

Is it possible that the desire to do something great or simply to get something done is keeping us from doing something good or just getting the job done? Maybe, it doesn't have to be perfect. Maybe, imperfect has its benefits....





We each have different gifts, purposes. No matter how ordinary you think your project is or you are, with God's hand on you, it will turn out okay and sometimes may turn out to be extraordinary.

God alone is perfect and his perfection is manifested in Jesus Christ. To receive Christ into our life is to receive his perfection so that God accepts us as righteous because of Christ. Then this righteous needs to be worked out in our lives so that we actually take on the character of Christ. This is a process of being perfected by God’s power as we trust in the Lord Jesus and train ourselves to grow in godliness....Being perfected in the character of Christ is different than what is ordinarily meant by perfectionism.  (from "Soul Searching" article on Perfectionism)