The pursuit of perfection is a noble goal, but it is simply not a realistic standard to seek.

Perfectionism often leads to disappointment, frustration, and burnout. I experienced this firsthand during my time in school and early on in my career. I’ve learned that focusing instead on progress, not perfection, can be a much more effective approach to achieving my goals and feeling fulfilled.

Focusing on progress allows for steady growth and improvement.

It enables us to learn from our mistakes, adjust our course, and move forward.

When we focus on progress, we create space for exploration and experimentation. We can take risks, try new things, and learn from our failures without fearing being judged for not meeting a certain standard of perfection.

Making regular progress feels so much better than constantly striving for perfection. Celebrating milestones and small wins along the way can be incredibly motivating and inspiring. By acknowledging our progress, we can build confidence and momentum, which can help us stay on track and continue to improve.

James Clear’s best-selling book “Atomic Habits” is a great resource for those looking to start focusing on progress rather than perfection. Clear suggests that instead of striving for perfection, we should focus on making small, incremental improvements each day. His philosophy is to strive to be just 1% better each day.

Focusing on progress rather than perfection is a more sustainable and fulfilling approach to achieving our goals. It allows us to embrace growth, learn from our mistakes, and celebrate our successes along the way.

By embracing this philosophy of continuous improvement, we can achieve great things while enjoying the journey.

Try focusing on progress, not perfection, and aim to be just 1% better each day.