It happened again last week. I stared at the blinking cursor on my screen, frozen, as if the perfect sentence might suddenly appear if I waited long enough. I was halfway through an article, and suddenly, nothing I wrote felt “good enough.” The ideas were there, but they all seemed clumsy, imperfect. So, I did what I always do when perfectionism strikes: I walked away, telling myself I’d finish it “later.”
Spoiler alert: Later didn’t come.
That’s the thing about perfectionism—it feels like a noble pursuit, doesn’t it? After all, who wouldn’t want their work to be flawless? But the truth is, perfectionism doesn’t push us to be better; it keeps us stuck. It whispers that if we can’t do something perfectly, we shouldn’t do it at all. And that’s how we end up walking away, waiting for the “right moment” that never arrives.
The Trap of Waiting for Perfect Conditions
If you’ve ever put off starting something until you felt “ready,” you know this trap well. Maybe it was a creative project, a fitness goal, or even just reaching out to someone you miss. Perfectionism tells us that the stars need to align before we can begin. We need more skills, more knowledge, more confidence.
But waiting for perfect conditions is like waiting for a sunny day in the middle of a stormy season—it’s just not realistic. Worse, the more we wait, the more intimidating the task becomes.
Last year, I decided I wanted to run a 5K. It seemed like a straightforward goal—download a running app, lace up some sneakers, and hit the pavement. But instead of starting, I spent weeks researching the “best” shoes, the “optimal” training plans, and the “right” way to breathe while running. By the time I was ready to start, I felt so overwhelmed by all the “right ways” to do it that I didn’t start at all.
What I learned (eventually) is that action is the antidote to perfectionism. Even messy, uncoordinated, trip-over-your-own-feet kind of action. It’s the only way to break the cycle of waiting for the perfect moment.
The Myth of Flawless Results
Somewhere along the way, many of us pick up the belief that we’re only as good as our results. We think that if our first draft isn’t publishable or our first workout doesn’t set a personal record, then we’ve failed.
But here’s the thing: No one’s first draft is perfect. No one’s first run is their fastest. Excellence isn’t a starting point—it’s a process. The people we admire most didn’t get there by being perfect from the start; they got there by showing up, again and again, even when it was messy.
A few months ago, I stumbled across an old notebook from college. Inside were scribbled story ideas and half-finished poems that I thought were “terrible” at the time. But reading them now, I saw glimmers of something I couldn’t see back then: potential.
Those early attempts weren’t perfect, but they were proof that I was trying. And honestly? They weren’t as bad as I remembered. Sometimes, we’re so busy focusing on what’s wrong with our work that we can’t see what’s right.
Why “Good Enough” Is Better Than Perfect
So, what’s the alternative to perfectionism? For me, it’s embracing the idea of “good enough.”
When I finally laced up my running shoes and started jogging around the block, I wasn’t fast or graceful. But I did it. And as clumsy as it felt, that first step made the second one easier. Eventually, I finished the 5K—not because I trained perfectly, but because I showed up, imperfections and all.
The same goes for writing, relationships, and every other area of life. When we stop holding ourselves to impossible standards, we create space for growth. Good enough isn’t settling; it’s starting. It’s choosing progress over paralysis.
Closing the Gap Between “Now” and “Perfect”
If perfectionism has you stuck, here’s what I’ve found helpful:
- Lower the stakes. Instead of aiming for perfection, aim to just show up. Write a bad first draft. Run for ten minutes. Make the imperfect choice.
- Celebrate small wins. Every step forward matters, no matter how small. Did you write a single sentence today? That’s progress.
- Practice self-compassion. Remind yourself that no one gets it right on the first try. You’re not behind; you’re learning.
The truth is, perfection is a moving target—it’s always just out of reach. But progress? Progress is right here, waiting for you to take the next step. So, let’s agree to stop chasing perfect and start chasing good enough.
After all, good enough is what gets things done. And sometimes, that’s more than enough.
What’s something you’ve been waiting to “get perfect” before starting? Maybe it’s time to begin, imperfections and all. You might surprise yourself.
