Why Perfection is the Enemy of Progress

December 31, 2024

You’ve probably heard it before: Progress over perfection.

But in practice? Perfection is sneaky. It shows up as procrastination, waiting for the “right time,” or believing that unless you can do it perfectly, it’s not worth doing at all.

Perfection convinces you that success is an all-or-nothing deal. But the truth? Success is built on messy, imperfect action.

If perfection is holding you back, try this:

• Ask yourself: What would a “B+” effort look like right now? Then do that.

• Give yourself permission to “start small” instead of “starting perfectly.”

• Replace all or nothing with something is better than nothing.

Perfection is not the path to progress—it’s the trap that keeps you stuck. You don’t need perfect actions to create a better life. You just need to take one small step.

Author

Jeb Johnston

Share this post:

Related Posts

    Jan 17, 2023
    If "flexible dieting" has you weighing an apple core to "hit your numbers" there's nothing flexible about it. Flexible dieting has been shown to outperform rigid dieting in terms of both physical and emotional outcomes.
    Sep 29, 2020
    Can you imagine what your life would look like if you had followed that advice scribbled in the back of your high school year book? Where might you be? Who might you be with? What might you be doing?
    never give up
    Feb 24, 2020
    David Ayres is the guy that keeps the ice clean for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He also serves as the practice goal tender for them and their minor league team the Marlies.

    Ready to Break Free from Diets, Numbers, and Negative Self-Talk?

    At Food on the Mind, we help you leave behind restrictive diets, harmful habits, and self-doubt. Sign up to our personalized 1:1 coaching and together, let’s develop skills to rebuild your relationship with food, your body, and your mind. This is more than a program — it’s a blueprint for lasting transformation. Together, we’ll build the most empowered version of you.