Letting Go of Perfectionism: Why Growth Beats Perfect Every Time

Perfectionism feels like a badge of honor, but let’s be real—it’s often just a fancy form of self-sabotage. If you’ve ever held back on posting content, launching an idea, or even speaking up in a room because you didn’t think it was “perfect” enough, then this post is for you.

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The Perfection Trap: My Miss Liberia GA Story

Years ago, I competed for Miss Liberia GA. I had the perfect speech—every word carefully chosen. But when I proudly read it to my fiancé (now husband), expecting applause, his response caught me off guard.

“Good. Now go memorize it.”

Oof. I was so focused on making my speech flawless on paper that I forgot the most important part—embodying it. Once I let go of perfection and fully owned my words, I delivered that speech with confidence—and won the crown.

That lesson stuck with me, but I had to learn it again in my content creation journey. For years, I obsessed over making my videos, captions, and photos flawless. But guess what? My most engaging posts weren’t the perfectly curated ones—they were the ones where I showed up real and raw.

Why GROW Beats Perfect Every Time

Instead of chasing perfection, I’ve learned that real success comes from growth. That’s why I use the GROW Framework to shift my mindset:

1. G – Gain a Growth Mindset

Your mindset is like a garden—if you’re not growing, you’re staying stuck. A growth mindset allows you to embrace imperfection as part of progress.

Try this shift:
🚫 “I’m not good at this.”
✅ “I’m not good at this yet.”

2. R – Reflect on Change & Development

Instead of focusing on how far you have to go, reflect on how far you’ve come. A simple practice: Take 30 seconds to write down one thing you do better today than six months ago. That’s proof of growth!

3. O – Overcome Judgment & Obstacles

Perfectionism is often fueled by fear—fear of judgment, failure, or not being enough. But every mistake is just a lesson in disguise. Instead of being your harshest critic, become your biggest cheerleader.

4. W – Work Your Advantages

The quirks and imperfections you try to hide? They’re actually your superpowers. What makes you different is what makes you stand out. Lean into it.

The MAGIC is in the Growth

Letting go of perfection doesn’t mean lowering your standards. It means embracing progress, authenticity, and actually moving forward.

Remember:
✨ Gaining a growth mindset is meaningful
✨ Reflecting on change is aesthetically pleasing
✨ Overcoming judgment is goal-oriented & intentional
✨ Working your advantages requires consistent effort

Looking to grow with others? Join my private community, And More, where we do life together—meal planning, content planning, and Bible study. And don’t forget to check out the full podcast episode below. Let’s stop chasing perfect and start growing into our MAGIC.

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