Lay Aside the Weight of Perfection: Embracing Imperfection and Running with Endurance

Lay Aside the Weight of Perfection

“Perfection is the enemy of the good.” This old saying has been around for centuries, but it still holds true today. In fact, it has taken on a new twist in recent years. Instead of simply warning us that striving for perfection can prevent us from achieving something good, productivity experts have emphasized the consequence: “The perfect is the enemy of the done.”

We’ve all been there: we neglect to do something because we fear we won’t do it perfectly. This is what we call perfectionism. Perfectionism is not the same as pursuing excellence; the former is a fear-based compulsion that either causes us to obsess over doing something perfectly or paralyzes us from acting at all. Both of these outcomes can lead to harmful neglect of other necessary or good things.

So, what fuels perfectionism?

The Root of Perfectionism

The root of perfectionism is pride. When we’re consumed with the need to do things perfectly, it’s because we’re trying to prove something to ourselves or to others. We want to show that we’re capable, that we’re competent, that we’re worthy of praise. We’re seeking validation, and we believe that achieving perfection will give us that validation.

But the problem with seeking validation through perfection is that it’s impossible to achieve. No matter how hard we try, we will never be perfect. We will always fall short in some way. And when we do, we’re left feeling inadequate, ashamed, and unworthy.

Perfectionism is also fueled by fear. We fear failure, rejection, and criticism. We fear that if we don’t do something perfectly, we’ll be judged, ridiculed, or rejected. We fear that we’ll be exposed as frauds or imposters. We fear that we’ll never measure up to our own or others’ expectations.

But the reality is that failure is a necessary part of growth and learning. We can’t learn or grow without making mistakes. And rejection and criticism are inevitable in life. We can’t control how others perceive us or our work, but we can control how we respond to their feedback.

So, how do we lay aside the weight of perfection?

Laying Aside the Weight of Perfection

Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

This passage reminds us that we’re not alone in our struggles. We have a great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us and have faced similar challenges. But more importantly, we have Jesus, who is the founder and perfecter of our faith.

When we fix our eyes on Jesus, we’re reminded that our worth and value come from him, not from our own achievements or perfection. We’re reminded that he has already accomplished everything we need for salvation, and that our job is simply to trust and follow him.

But how do we practically lay aside the weight of perfectionism?

1. Embrace Imperfection

The first step is to embrace imperfection. This means accepting that we’re not perfect and that we never will be. It means recognizing that making mistakes and falling short are a natural part of life. It means being okay with not having all the answers or knowing how to do everything perfectly.

But embracing imperfection doesn’t mean settling for mediocrity or not striving for excellence. It simply means recognizing that excellence doesn’t require perfection. We can still do something well without doing it perfectly.

2. Set Realistic Goals

The second step is to set realistic goals. This means setting goals that are achievable within our current level of skill, resources, and time. It means breaking down bigger goals into smaller, more manageable tasks. It means being okay with adjusting our goals as needed based on our progress and feedback.

Setting realistic goals helps us avoid the trap of perfectionism because it gives us something concrete to work towards that is achievable. It also helps us avoid overwhelm and burnout by breaking down big tasks into smaller, more manageable ones.

3. Focus on Progress, Not Perfection

The third step is to focus on progress, not perfection. This means celebrating our successes and learning from our failures. It means recognizing that growth and improvement happen over time, not overnight. It means being okay with making mistakes and using them as opportunities to learn and grow.

Focusing on progress helps us avoid the all-or-nothing mentality of perfectionism. Instead of striving for perfection in every aspect of our lives, we can focus on making progress in the areas that matter most to us.

4. Practice Self-Compassion

The fourth step is to practice self-compassion. This means treating ourselves with kindness, understanding, and acceptance. It means being gentle with ourselves when we make mistakes or fall short. It means recognizing that we’re human and that we’re doing the best we can with what we have.

Practicing self-compassion helps us avoid the harsh self-criticism and self-judgment that often accompanies perfectionism. It allows us to be kind to ourselves and to extend the same grace and compassion to ourselves that we would to others.

5. Seek Feedback and Support

The fifth and final step is to seek feedback and support. This means being open to feedback from others and using it to grow and improve. It means seeking out mentors, coaches, or accountability partners who can offer guidance and support. It means surrounding ourselves with people who encourage and uplift us, rather than tear us down.

Seeking feedback and support helps us avoid the isolation and self-reliance that often accompanies perfectionism. It allows us to learn from others and to benefit from their wisdom and experience.

Conclusion

Perfectionism is a weight that can hold us back from living the full and abundant life that God has for us. But we don’t have to carry that weight alone. When we fix our eyes on Jesus and follow his example of endurance and faith, we can lay aside the weight of perfectionism and run the race that is set before us.

Embracing imperfection, setting realistic goals, focusing on progress, practicing self-compassion, and seeking feedback and support are all practical steps we can take to lay aside the weight of perfectionism and run with endurance the race that is set before us.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, and lay aside the weight of perfectionism that hinders us from following him with our whole hearts.