IT’S NOT ABOUT PERFECTION. IT’S ABOUT PROGRESS

 


Author: Joan Nakagwe 

We all have a version of a perfect life, a flawless plan, or an ideal outcome we hold in our minds. We want the perfect workout routine, the perfectly written first draft, the perfect business strategy before we launch. This pursuit of perfection, while seemingly noble, often becomes a silent and powerful barrier to our own success. It’s a subtle form of procrastination, born of the fear of failure and the terror of not being good enough.

But what if the key to unlocking our potential isn't about being perfect at all? What if it's about embracing the messy, imperfect, and powerful journey of progress?

The Trap of  Perfection.

Perfectionism is a heavy chain. It keeps us from starting because we’re waiting for the ideal conditions. It makes us hesitate, revise, and overthink until our ideas lose their momentum. It tells us that our work isn't good enough until it's flawless, which means it may never see the light of day.

This mindset turns a project into a daunting, impossible task. It focuses on the fear of what might go wrong, rather than the excitement of what could go right. The result? Great ideas remain unwritten, innovative projects are never launched, and personal goals are left to collect dust.

The Power of Progress 

Progress, on the other hand, is a powerful engine of momentum. It operates on a completely different set of rules:

 1. Progress is Messy. 

It understands that the first draft will be terrible, the first attempt at a new skill will be clumsy, and the first few weeks of a new habit will be inconsistent. And that’s okay.

 2. Progress is a Teacher.

It doesn’t see mistakes as failures; it sees them as invaluable data. Every imperfect action teaches you something new, helping you refine your approach and get better for the next time.

 3. Progress is Empowering.

It gives you a sense of accomplishment with every small step you take, no matter how small. This positive feedback loop builds confidence and provides the motivation to keep going.

As Les Brown famously said, “You don’t have to be great to get started, but you have to get started to be great.” The essence of this is the power of progress. It's the willingness to start small and imperfectly that eventually leads to mastery.

Progress, on the other hand, is powerful. It’s taking one small step when everything feels overwhelming. It’s choosing action over anxiety. It’s celebrating efforts, not just outcomes.

When you focus on progress, you give yourself permission to be human. To learn. To grow. To fall and rise again. Every step forward counts—even the wobbly, awkward, uncertain ones.

Think about it…..

  • The writer who writes one page a day finishes a book in a year.
  • The entrepreneur who learns one new thing each week becomes a master over time.
  • The person who saves a small amount monthly builds wealth gradually.

They’re not chasing perfection—they’re committed to progress.

How to Embrace Progress Over Perfection 

 1. Start Before You’re Ready:

 Stop waiting for the perfect plan. Launch your website with a simple design. Write the first messy draft. Start that workout routine with just 10 minutes a day. The first step is about taking action, not getting it right.

 2. Celebrate the Small wins: 

 Instead of focusing on the gap between where you are and where you want to be, celebrate the steps you’ve already taken. Acknowledge every small win, because each one is proof that you are moving forward.

 3. Shift Your Language: 

Pay attention to your inner dialogue. Replace perfectionist phrases like "It has to be perfect" or "I can't mess this up" with "I'm making progress" or "This is a great opportunity to learn."

 4. Focus on Consistency, Not Intensity:

 As James Clear argues in "Atomic Habits," small, consistent improvements are far more effective than intense, sporadic efforts. An imperfect habit done daily is more valuable than a perfect plan that never gets started.

Remember: Your Journey Your Pace.

This isn’t a race. Life is a journey, and your path doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. Don’t compare your Chapter 2 to someone else’s Chapter 20.

You don’t need perfect conditions to start. You just need to start. You don’t need to be fearless. You just need to keep moving despite fear.

You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to trust the process.

In Conclusion: Progress is Power.

Let go of the need to be flawless. Embrace the beautiful mess of becoming. Because every time you show up, every time you take a step forward— you’re winning.

You are a work of progress. And that’s exactly where the magic happens.

Your reality is not a pristine, flawless masterpiece waiting to be unveiled. It is a constantly evolving work in progress. By releasing the heavy burden of perfectionism and embracing the unstoppable momentum of progress, you give yourself permission to start, to learn, to grow, and to win.

After all, a done project is infinitely better than a perfect one that never existed.

✨ Ready to grow without Pressure?

Subscribe to the Journey to wealth for daily encouragement, practical tips and real stories that remind you You’re doing better than you think.

Watch a full video on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/3qh-oriw3fY?si=kugOAynW2gGNyVl3

Written by Joan Nakagwe 

(thejourney2wealth.blogspot.com)


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