How to Be Perfectly Imperfect
“Have the courage to be imperfect.” – Alfred Fidler
I say it all the time: “I’m a perfectly imperfect perpetual work in progress.” But this week, I get to dig deeper into what I mean by that. Our topic – progress over perfection – focuses on what we can gain by shifting from an all-or-nothing perfectionist attitude to one that cultivates progress, resilience, and excellence. When we realize it’s our progress that matters, and not our imperfections, we empower ourselves to grow – to be the best “work in progress” that we can be.
This takes courage. It means embracing our humanity and accepting our flaws, mistakes, and setbacks. It means letting go of the need for perfection and allowing ourselves to be vulnerable. It means trying, failing, trying again, and maybe failing again, but always growing and learning in the process.
When you have the courage to be imperfect, you free yourself from the paralyzing effects of perfectionism and open yourself up to growth through learning new things and experiencing the full range of what life has to offer. Instead of being weighed down by the fear of making mistakes, you can focus on progress, growth, and self-improvement.
Being imperfect also deepens your connections with others by fostering empathy, humility, and authenticity. When you let go of the desire for perfection, you give yourself and others permission to be real, to be human, and to grow together.
Here are three tools that may help you embrace progress over perfection:
EMBRACE YOUR FAILURES. Learn from your mistakes.
TAKE MICRO-STEPS. Slow and steady wins the race. Set micro-goals as you continue on your journey. Make a plan.
CELEBRATE YOUR WINS. Recognize all of your micro-wins. Celebrate your progress toward excellence and your long-term goals rather than focusing on temporary successes or failures.
Pursuing excellence rather than the unreachable goal of perfection allows us to put forth our best effort without fear of judgment, from the outside or from within. It’s all about growth, mastery, and continuous improvement, driven by our own values and standards.
Ultimately, focusing on progress over perfection is just being kind to ourselves. It’s a powerful mindset that leads to personal growth, stronger relationships, and a more fulfilling, meaningful life. It’s a transformation from feeling “never good enough” to realizing that you ARE good enough … and getting BETTER!