Imperfection

The Quest for Perfection

Too often, I strive for perfection, and I don’t allow myself to be satisfied with excellence, or even improvement.

I don’t know if I was born with that trait or developed it based on life experiences.

But not accepting that I’ve done my best – as imperfect as it may be – causes a whole host of negative emotions and consequences.

The Negative Impact of the Quest

Three of the worst consequences are that I:

— Begin a project, but never finish it because I’m constantly working to make it perfect.

— Don’t start the project in the first place because I can’t complete it perfectly.

— Am not happy with my efforts, and it can be a blow to my self-esteem.

And this character defect doesn’t just apply to something big like struggling to write a novel. It can impact me in small, medium, and large ways every day.

Like trying to figure out the best way to organize something.

— I don’t even want to tell you how much time I’ve spent each year trying to pack up the Christmas decorations to get them in the fewest number of bins.

— Or staring at my clothes to decide if the turtlenecks should go next to the heavy sweaters or the short-sleeved shirts, and put the heavy sweaters next to the business jackets.

Even at this moment, I’m agonizing over every word of this blog – feeling like it won’t be exactly right, and therefore, not good enough.

Acceptance of Imperfection

Suffice it to say, that like all of my character traits that need improvement, I need to remember that it’s okay not to be perfect.

Some folks may have known all their lives that it’s okay not be perfect. Others may have learned it at some point in their lives.

But there are those of us — okay, I won’t judge others by including them in this category….

There is ME – who still struggles with wanting to do everything right.

Perhaps subconsciously I think achieving perfection means I’ll have a problem-free life, or that I’ll be popular with everyone.

Regardless of the psychological reasons, the simple fact of the matter is:

I’m not perfect. And no matter how hard I try, I can’t achieve it.

And to have any success, or more importantly, PEACE in my spirit, I need to work not toward perfection, but toward steady and continued improvement.

Acceptance is the first step for me:

— Acceptance of my current character traits.

— Acceptance that some of those traits need to be changed (or removed).

— Acceptance that I can ask God to help me do my part, and then ask Him to do His part to change me as He sees fit.

— Acceptance that the way I change may not be the way I envision. But it will always be what’s best for me because it’s God’s way.

Delayed perfection delays accomplishment or any sense of contentment.

I pray I will learn to dwell in being satisfied with continued improvement.

What helps you be satisfied with continued improvement?

Imperfection – What helps you be satisfied with improvement? Share on X

Joni Vance is an award-winning author of fiction, essay, and poetry. She loves mystery, history, and how God reveals Himself every day.

May God reveal the mystery of His love in your life story.