I woke up this morning thinking, I need to do yoga. But I only had 20 minutes. Often, I would give up and say, Oh, I’ll do it later when I have more time… or maybe tomorrow. And guess what? Later doesn’t come.
Or sometimes, I avoid doing things because I think, It’s not going to be that good anyway. Do you ever find yourself thinking this way? If so, you’re not alone. 
Perfectionism has a sneaky way of creeping into our lives, making us believe that if something isn’t done flawlessly, it isn’t worth doing at all. It tells us that if we can’t do the full workout, we might as well skip it. If we can’t write a perfect article, we shouldn’t write at all. If we don’t feel 100% prepared, we shouldn’t even try. And this mindset, while seemingly logical, keeps us stuck.
The Social Construction of Perfection
Society often reinforces the idea that we must present ourselves in a certain way. If you’re running a webinar, it has to be seamless. If you’re posting online, it has to be polished. If you’re starting something new, you need to be an expert. But what is perfect?
There is no such thing.
Perfection is an illusion that holds us back from growth. Instead of aiming for perfection, what if we approached life as a learning journey? What if we took things step by step and allowed ourselves to improve along the way?
Brené Brown, in her book “The Gifts of Imperfection,” emphasizes that embracing our imperfections leads to a more fulfilling and wholehearted life. She encourages us to let go of societal expectations and instead cultivate authenticity, self-compassion, and resilience. When we accept that perfection isn’t the goal, we free ourselves to take risks, make mistakes, and grow in ways we never imagined.
I used to think that if I didn’t have the best tools, the best setup, or the perfect plan, I shouldn’t bother. But I’ve learned that it’s better to start messy than to never start at all. And here’s the secret: progress happens through the imperfect steps, not in waiting for the perfect moment.
Embracing Authenticity Over Perfection
Think about it—when you watch someone give a speech, do you connect more with the perfectly rehearsed script or with the speaker who shares their real, unscripted thoughts? Authenticity resonates far more than perfection ever could. People appreciate realness. It makes them feel seen and understood.
So even if you’re not an expert in technology and your first webinar has a few hiccups, even if your first blog post isn’t as polished as you’d like, even if you fumble through your first yoga session—do it an
yway. The only way to grow is to show up, as you are, and learn as you go.
James Clear, in “Atomic Habits,” discusses how small, consistent actions lead to big results over time. One of the biggest obstacles to progress is the all-or-nothing mindset that perfectionism creates. But by focusing on small, manageable steps instead of waiting for the perfect opportunity, we build momentum and create lasting change. Even if you only have five minutes for yoga, it’s better than doing nothing at all. Even if you write just one sentence today, it’s a step toward finishing that project.
A Challenge for You
The next time you find yourself thinking, If I can’t do it perfectly, I won’t do it at all, pause. Instead, ask yourself: What is one small step I can take today? Maybe it’s writing for just five minutes, stretching instead of a full workout, or hitting “publish” even if it’s not perfect. Start where you are, with what you have, and trust that growth will follow.
Because, in the end, it’s better to be authentic than to be perfect. And it’s better to start imperfectly than to never start at all.