As a recovering perfectionist myself, I hate to break it to you but you need to know that waiting for perfection is a futile endeavour that will hold you back from making the progress you desire.
Let’s face it: perfection, in its absolute and flawless form, does not exist. Nothing in this world can ever attain that level of flawlessness. So if you’re holding back from putting your work (or yourself) out there until it reaches an unattainable state of perfection, you’ll never actually take that leap.
Often, we use the guise of perfectionism to mask our fears. We convince ourselves that we’re still refining our business plan, product design or waiting for the perfect moment to take the leap into a new position. But deep down, we know that perfection is an illusion.
What truly holds us back is fear—the fear of making mistakes, the fear of disapproval or rejection, the fear of being exposed as a fraud because we don’t have all the answers.
But here’s a secret: everyone feels this way at some point. It’s part of the human experience.
What we truly need is not perfection, but courage—the courage to say, “Screw it, I’m going to do this!” No one else can give you that courage or make the decision for you. Sure, others can offer support and advice, which is why having a community of like-minded individuals is valuable. However, ultimately, the power lies within you.
It’s tempting to look at those who are ahead of us on the path and assume that they have it easy, that they possess some innate knowledge and talent we lack. But that’s simply not true. Every single person you admire started from a place of knowing nothing. They embarked on a journey of years filled with hard work, sleepless nights, constant learning, stress, failure, success, more failure, and unwavering determination.
They cultivated grit, perseverance, and patience. They put in the effort and stayed committed because they had unshakable faith in themselves.
So, instead of waiting for perfection, embrace the imperfections and take that leap. Start where you are, with what you have. Allow yourself to learn and grow along the way. Remember that progress is more important than perfection. The path to success is paved with boldness and resilience, not flawless execution.
Believe in yourself, take that courageous step, and trust that the journey will lead you to remarkable places you never thought possible.
