Body and Mind Matters: Focus on Progress, Not Perfection
July 7, 2025Focus on Progress, Not Perfection: At one time or another, we’ve all heard the old adage “practice makes perfect.” Perhaps your teachers, athletic coaches, and/or your parents drilled this belief system into your psyche. Personally, I can still hear the nagging voices repeating “practice makes purrrr-fect” in my mind. Although the words can serve as motivation, I highly suggest you dismantle the whole concept.
Perfect is Subjective
First of all, “perfect” is subjective. What constitutes perfection? Who defines it? Would that definition even match your definition? Secondly, there are no perfect human beings. We all make mistakes and have our own flaws. Paradoxically, choosing to believe in perfection is very often a recipe for failure.
It is human nature to fantasize about making a decision to change something in one’s life and then being somehow able to flip a switch and attain that goal overnight. It simply does not work that way. Any goal worth achieving is usually achieved in small increments and requires time, effort, and commitment. If we focus on making small, often imperfect changes along the way toward the goal, we are much more likely to succeed.
Striving for Perfection is Demoralizing
As a recovering perfectionist myself, I know how striving for impossible ideals can keep a person stuck. Perfectionism tends to lead to procrastination and extra hours in front of the television. After all, if an inherently challenging task needs to be done “perfectly,” why start at all? As Voltaire cautioned centuries ago, “The best is the enemy of good.” Paraphrasing, he was reminding us to not allow striving for perfection to keep us stuck and unproductive. If everything you do needs to be “perfect,” very little or nothing will get done..
Have I struck a nerve? Maybe you have begun to think through your procrastination habit. Or, perhaps, you realize how perfectionism has robbed you of time and kept you from achieving your dreams. Excellent! These can be very freeing thoughts if you acknowledge the error in your previous thinking and resolve to do and think differently as you focus on progress.
Focus on Progress, Not Perfection
How, then, to make “progress”? Do something! Anything! Lots of small decisions and actions will comprise your larger goals. For instance, a goal of losing weight requires many food and exercise choices over an extended period of time to come to fruition. Along the way, it will be tempting to throw in the towel each time you get off track or do not eat and exercise “perfectly.” Resist that urge! Gain some perspective by evaluating all the small efforts and progress you have made. The same line of thinking applies to any number of examples.
Cultivate a basic belief in action, progress, and respect for yourself and your efforts, and you’ll be well on your way toward your “ideal.” Keep in mind that you may need to adjust your “ideal” along the way. That is more than okay and an exciting opportunity to grow and learn. Now, get busy! If you do not make any mistakes, you are not aiming high enough.
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Jenna Nocera, MA, MFT, CLSC, CPFT is a Life & Wellness Coach, Psychotherapist, and Personal Fitness Trainer at Formula For Excellence®
 | ABOUT THE AUTHOR Coach Jenna Nocera, MA, MFT, CLSC, CPFT is a Life & Wellness Coach, Psychotherapist, and Personal Fitness Trainer with advanced degrees in Behavioral Science, Psychology, and Marriage and Family Therapy. She works with clients to redesign their lifestyle habits and reach their personal and professional goals. Subscribe to the Formula For Excellence® newsletter to receive a Free Habit Tracker and occasional health and wellness tips. Read more articles by Coach Jenna! |
