Come On! Admit It! You're Proud to Be a Perfectionist!

Almost 30 years ago, when I interviewed for the job that eventually became a 15-year career as a Professor of Chemistry at Bethany College, the chairman of the department asked me this question: "What would you say is one of your greatest weaknesses?"

I was ready for that question! I answered something like this: "I'm a perfectionist. I know I probably shouldn't be, because it can lead to health problems. But I just love what I do, and sometimes time just gets away from me because I want to do well and help the students as much as I can."

Even though my future boss probably inwardly rolled his eyes, what I had told him—as corny as it sounded—was the truth.

So go ahead. It's okay to admit it. Are you proud to be a perfectionist too? Like me, do you secretly think it’s a good thing? It means you're highly motivated and hard-working. You'll do an excellent job if you possibly can. People love that about you, because they know they can depend upon you to come through with flying colors.

In fact, your secret, unspoken conviction—and mine—is that it would be irresponsible not to be perfectionistic, because that would be "settling." It would be not doing your best.

Jesus even said, during His famous "Sermon on the Mount," said, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:48)  (More on that later.)

What is a Christian perspective of perfectionism? Is there such a thing as "holy perfectionism"?

You Might Be a Perfectionist If...

Reasons Not to Be a Perfectionist

As I stepped over the line of perfectionism with my writing, God began teaching me some serious reasons I should not be perfectionistic.

Perfectionism doesn't "work"! 

• A scientific study published in the Harvard Business Review concludes, "Perfectionists are not better or worse performers than non-perfectionists. Even employees high in excellence-seeking perfectionism were not better performers."
• For any task or project, there is a "point of diminishing return," past which the small impact of any additional improvements is not worth the additional time. That was true of my time-consuming tweaks of my most recent blog. Of course, it's good to correct mistakes and be clear. But after a certain amount of tweaking, the extra time is not worth it.

Perfectionism short-circuits God's work in our lives.

• Perfectionism glorifies us instead of God. When we try to "do it perfectly," we tend to take the credit for success, instead of knowing it was God who brought the big benefits. For example, when I max out the perfection, I tend to think it's my extra effort that makes the impact, not so much God working through me.
• Perfectionism accomplishes our goals instead of God’s. Time spent on perfection could be spent on God’s goals. When I wrote perfectionistically, I accomplished my goal of trying to impress myself and others, instead of focusing on God's goal that I reflect upon my learning and experience His glorious work.
• You will move optimally forward into the next stage of your calling, only to the extent that you deal with perfectionism. Perfectionism short-circuits God's purposes, diminishes our vision for what He is doing, stresses us out, limits our ability to get the MOST IMPORTANT things done and let the rest go, hurts our health, and keeps us imprisoned in fear of failure instead of free to be and do as God ordains.

How to Loosen the Bonds of Perfectionism

Jesus did indeed say, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:48)

But the Greek word, teleios, does not mean "perfect" in the way that we normally use the word. It does not mean to be without mistakes or flaws.

The biblical phrase, "be perfect," means to be complete, mature or whole.

Regarding loosening the bonds of perfectionism, most resources on the Internet focus on changing behaviors. And that does help, to a certain extent.

So, yes. Work hard. Strive for excellence. Strengthen your skills. Shine in what you do best. Prioritize the most important tasks—and parts of tasks—and let the others go.

And yes. Strive for balance in your life. Take some R & R. If perfectionism is severe, talk through the underlying reasons for perfectionism with a Christian counselor.

But don't forget the Foundation.

The ultimate source of completeness, maturity, and wholeness is God Himself.

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
 your vindication like the noonday sun. (Psalm 37:4-6)

How to loosen the bonds of perfectionism:

• Prayerfully refer to the above section, "You Might Be a Perfectionist If..." What perfectionistic characteristics do you have?
• Prayerfully refer to the above section, "Reasons Not to Be a Perfectionist." How has God convinced you that perfectionism isn't beneficial or humorous, but is indeed harmful?
• Ask God how perfectionism is preventing you from being who God has created you to be and doing what He has created you to do.
• Ask God to give you a vision of what it would look like for you to be free of the bonds of perfectionism and fully focused on giving Him the glory.