Perfectionism is a Scam: Take Off the Mask and Let God Move

If perfectionism had a LinkedIn profile, I probably would have endorsed it for “making me overthink everything” and “keeping me stuck in analysis paralysis.” For years, I was convinced that being a perfectionist was a flex—like a badge of honor that meant I was doing things the right way. But in reality? Perfectionism wasn’t my superpower; it was my kryptonite. It was the thing keeping me from stepping fully into what God was calling me to do.

I learned this the hard way when I was preparing to speak at a career conference last year. I spent hours rehearsing, refining, tweaking—making sure every word was just right. But when I got up there, I didn’t even talk about what I had planned. Instead, I found myself unpacking something much deeper: the masks we wear, the pressure to have it all together, and the sneaky little lie that perfection is the goal. Spoiler alert—it’s not.

I used to believe that striving for perfection meant excellence, that if I could control every detail, I could control the outcome. But in reality, perfectionism wasn’t making me better—it was keeping me bound. While it has given me an eye for detail, it also became a hindrance to what God was calling me to build. It didn’t leave room for Him to move; instead, it placed me in the driver’s seat, trying to control a story He had already written for me.

This journey of building a faith-based business, walking in faith, and making decisions—especially those that didn’t make practical sense—wasn’t easy. Perfectionism, my fear of mistakes, and my desire for control often got in the way. I wanted certainty. I wanted everything to align before I moved. But that’s not how faith works. Faith requires movement even when the steps aren’t clear, even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed.

I thank God for His grace and mercy every day. He gave me this business in 2021, yet it wasn’t until mid-2024 that I truly accepted my calling. And when I did, I had to wrestle with the fact that I had spent years trying to fit into identities that weren’t mine. I built my life around being what I thought others expected—the honor student who never slipped, the dependable friend with the right words, the unwavering daughter, the strong Black woman who never showed struggle, the high-achiever who never dropped the ball, the polished professional, the visionary always chasing the next big idea. But who was I outside of that? Who was I without the masks?

I chuckle as I write this because my husband is mocking me, knowing how deeply I feel this truth. The secret ingredient to entrepreneurship isn’t perfectionism—it’s taking off the mask and fully surrendering.

Surrender doesn’t mean abandoning responsibility. It doesn’t mean letting go of vision or strategy. It means releasing the need to control the outcome. It means trusting that if God called you to it, He will sustain it. It means showing up, doing the work, and letting God do what only He can do.

So I encourage you, as you step into your job, your work, or anything you put your hands to—examine the mask you’re wearing and surrender. Surrender the fear. Surrender the pressure to have it all figured out. Surrender the need to prove yourself.

Because in that surrender, things will shift. Doors will open that you didn’t have to force. Opportunities will come that you didn’t have to chase. You will make room for the new—for the true you, the God-given you.

And that version of you? That’s the version the world needs. That’s the version that will build, create, and move in ways perfection never could.