Let’s talk about something I know so many of us, including me, struggle with: perfection, that all-or-nothing mindset that tells you, “If it’s not done perfectly, it’s not worth doing.” Whether it’s starting a new routine, eating healthy, or simply spending some time cleaning up your space, perfectionism loves to sneak in and make us feel like we’re already behind before we even begin.
But here’s the truth: progress matters more than perfection. Progress is what moves the needle forward in real life, even if the steps feel small, messy, and imperfect.
If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in that cycle of waiting until the “perfect time” or avoiding something because you’re afraid of doing it wrong, stick around. We’re going to break down the difference between perfection and progress, how to shift your mindset, and why it’s okay (actually, necessary) to start small.
Perfection Mindset: What It Looks Like
Perfectionism might sound like high standards or ambition on the surface, and there’s a time and place for both. But when we allow these standards to take priority over all else, it holds us back more than it helps.
A perfection mindset says:
- “If I don’t have time to do it perfectly, I won’t do it at all.”
- “If I make a mistake, it means I’ve failed.”
- “I can’t share this until it’s 100% polished.” or “I can’t do this in front of anyone until I’m perfect at it.”
- “I’ll start when I have more time/money/energy/confidence/[insert literally anything here].”
We’ve all had those moments where we’ve spent more time planning a “perfect” routine than actually doing it. For some, the planning can be the most satisfying part—but it often turns into an escape from actually doing what we’ve set out to do. Maybe you’ve told yourself that you can’t go to the gym because you only had 20 minutes and not enough time for a full workout. Maybe you’ve procrastinated launching projects because you felt like they weren’t quite ready yet.
The problem with that mindset? Life isn’t perfect. And waiting for everything to line up just right often means we never start at all.
Progress Mindset: A Healthier, More Helpful Shift
A progress mindset is about movement rather than perfection. It’s about celebrating effort, adjusting as you go, and embracing the idea that small, imperfect steps still count (because they do).
A progress mindset says:
- “Doing something is better than doing nothing.”
- “Mistakes help me grow and learn.”
- “Every small action adds up over time.”
- “I will learn and grow with each small step I take.”
This mindset not only allows for more growth and learning, but it also gives you room to be human. It’s a forgiving method that allows you to show up even when life is messy or your energy is low. It encourages you to start where you are, with what you have.
And most importantly—it keeps you going because you’re not paralyzed by the need to do everything perfectly.
Perfection Keeps You Stuck. Progress Builds Momentum.
Here’s a hard truth: Even when you “get it right,” your brain will find something else that could’ve been better. So, you’ll be left always striving for more perfection and exhausting yourself in the process. Progress, on the other hand, is measurable. It shows up in the form of consistency, clarity, and confidence.
Think of it like this:
- Perfection says: You can’t start journaling because you don’t have the right notebook.
- Progress says: You can jot your thoughts on a sticky note and still feel better after (and then transfer them to your notebook once you get it, if you’re like me).
- Perfection says: You didn’t finish everything on your to-do list, so today was a failure.
- Progress says: You crossed two things off your to-do list That’s still forward motion.
One mindset keeps you stuck. The other builds momentum.
How to Shift from Perfection to Progress
Switching mindsets doesn’t happen overnight (because perfectionism can run deep.) But it can start with small, intentional shifts. Here are a few that have helped me:
1. Embrace Imperfect Starts
You do not need a perfect plan or the perfect time to get started. You just need to begin. The first step can be small—writing the first sentence, signing up for the class, taking a 10-minute walk. Don’t wait until you have it all figured out.
Ask yourself, “What’s the next small step I can take today?”
2. Redefine Success
Instead of only celebrating outcomes, start celebrating effort. Did you show up to workout but only did 15 minutes of exercise? That’s better than 0. Did you cook something at home instead of ordering out, even if it wasn’t the perfect, nutritious meal? That’s a win. Did you track your expenses for one day to see how you felt? You’re doing great.
Write down 3 “small wins” each week. It trains your brain to see the value in even small progress.
3. Normalize “Messy Middles”
It’s easy to start something when you’re feeling motivated and excited. But what about when it gets boring? Or frustrating? Or hard? The messy middle is where the real progress happens. Don’t confuse discomfort or lack of motivation with failure. Just keep pushing through and you’ll see the benefit of your consistency.
This is a hard one: Make peace with being a beginner (AKA, not perfect at everything you do the very first time you do it). Let “messy” be part of the process because that’s where you’ll learn and grow the most.
5. Replace Criticism with Curiosity
Instead of beating yourself up when things don’t go perfectly, ask: “What can I learn from this?” Being curious leads to growth. Being critical just keeps you stuck and unmotivated to move forward.
Try journaling about a recent mistake or delay and write down one thing it taught you.
Real Growth Lives in the Small Steps
I used to think success came from perfect execution. Now I know it comes from consistent progress. The small decisions you make each day—what you eat, what you focus on, how you speak to yourself—they all add up. And honestly? That’s where the true growth happens.
You don’t need to overhaul your whole life today. In fact, you shouldn’t, because it probably won’t last very long (example: Have you ever tried a strict diet? I’m going to guess it didn’t last forever because honestly it was unsustainable).
You just need to do the next right thing. Keep showing up. Keep learning. Keep giving yourself permission to grow without needing to be perfect first.
Perfection will always try to keep you in place. Progress is what gets you moving toward the life you actually want.
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