It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect: Why Progress Matters More Than Perfection
I’ll never forget the day before we sent out our first email about the launch of our guided journals. It was one of those days when everything felt overwhelming. You know the kind—where every little decision starts to feel bigger than it really is. I was stuck in a loop of uploading, revising, re-uploading, and second-guessing. I think we went through what felt like 17 different versions of the journals.
Perfectionism had set in, and procrastination was right there with it. I was paralyzed, letting the fear of not getting everything just right keep me from moving forward. But then Sarah looked at me and said, "You know what? It doesn’t have to be perfect." And right away I felt this peace come over me. She was right—just go. And it wasn’t perfect, and it still isn’t, but it is still something really great that we are proud of!
Perfection Isn’t the Goal—Progress Is
I know I’m not the only one who’s been caught up in the cycle of overthinking and striving for perfection. We’ve all been there, right? Whether it’s launching a business, starting a new project, or even just writing in a journal—there’s this pressure we put on ourselves to get everything exactly right before we hit “go.”
But here’s the truth: It’s never going to be perfect. And you know what? That’s okay. Because perfection isn’t the goal—progress is. Getting started is more important than getting it perfect the first time (or even the tenth time).
When we launched our six 28-day guided journals, they weren’t perfect, and they’re still not perfect. And that’s fine because they are still really great. They’re helping people reflect, set goals, and become more intentional with their lives, which is the whole point. The feedback has been amazing, and none of that would’ve happened if we had waited for perfection.
The Perfection Trap: Why It Holds Us Back
Let me be real with you—perfectionism is sneaky. It can disguise itself as high standards or careful planning, but in reality, it’s often just a form of procrastination. When we obsess over making things perfect, we end up delaying progress. We convince ourselves that we’re not ready, that it’s not good enough yet, or that there’s always something more to tweak.
And guess what happens? We get stuck.
The funny thing is, striving for perfection is what keeps us from making progress in the first place. It creates this invisible barrier that stops us from taking that first step, whether it’s sending the email, launching the product, or writing in your journal.
Praise the Progress, Not Perfection
The key here is to praise the progress—not perfection. At Mindset in the Making, our journals are all about growth, reflection, and taking small, meaningful steps toward your goals. It’s the same principle: Focus on the progress you’re making, even if it’s not perfect. Each day, you show up, write down your thoughts, and take one small step. That’s where the magic happens.
When we get caught up in perfectionism, we lose sight of the journey. And journaling is all about embracing the journey, not getting stuck in the idea that everything has to be flawless.
3 Tips to Embrace Progress Over Perfection in Your Own Life
So, how do you break free from the perfectionism trap? Here are three simple tips to help you embrace progress over perfection:
Just Start: Whether it’s writing in your journal, launching that project, or trying something new—just start. Don’t wait until it’s perfect to take action. You’ll learn and grow as you go.
Set Small Goals: Instead of focusing on huge, overwhelming tasks, break them down into smaller, more manageable steps. Celebrate each step forward, no matter how small.
Reflect on Your Progress: Use journaling as a tool to reflect on your growth. At the end of each week, look back on what you’ve accomplished. It doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be progress.
Whatever that thing is you have been wanting to do, just go for it. We will be right here cheering you on!
