Perfectionism couches itself in performance, achievement, and competition. It is the antithesis of excellence. — Aaron Ivey, The Austin Stone
perfectionism
Cooking Lobsters (or, Another Study in Perfectionism)
The problem with perfectionists, albeit not the only one, is that they’re like lobsters about to be cooked. They’re not only the lobsters placed into the pot, but they’re also the chefs tossing them in and closing the lid behind them. [Read more…] about Cooking Lobsters (or, Another Study in Perfectionism)
Mountains out of Mole Hills
The problem with perfectionists, albeit not the only one, is that they make mountains out of mole hills. A failure to rise to the occasion. A moment of stupidity. An error that not even an eighteen-year-old rookie writer should or would have made.
Perfectionism is the Enemy
I long ago learned to keep a tight leash on my perfectionism. If I didn’t, it would run circles around me and trip me. Scraped knees and elbows. Bruised shins. Never a pretty picture, and I should know as someone who’s had her fair share of knees and elbows meeting pavement.
Try Again
After each failure, ask forgiveness, pick yourself up, and try again. Very often what God first helps us towards is not the virtue itself but just this power of always trying again. For however important chastity (or courage, or truthfulness, or any other virtue) may be, this process trains us in habits of the soul which are more important still. It cures our illusions about ourselves and teaches us to depend on God. We learn, on the one hand, that we cannot trust ourselves even in our best moments, and, on the other hand, that we need not despair even in our worst, for our failures are forgiven. The only fatal thing is to sit down content with anything less than perfection. – C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Good Enough isn’t Good Enough
Whatever you do, do you work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. – Colossians 3:23-4 (NASB)
The words “sloppy” and “good enough” don’t sit well with me. They are not a part of my work ethic, nor are they to what I’m called. I’m called to excellence, to doing my work heartily.