No More Perfect! We Want Progress!: Sloppy Starts (Part 2)
Part 2 of a 4-Part Series on Lil' Habit's Sloppy Starts
Sloppy Starts is a topic with many layers, so I’m breaking it down into a 4-part series to chew on this Lil’ Habit concept one bite at a time. This is Part 2.
Perfectionism is the enemy of progress. It props itself up as something admirable like "high standards,” but really it's a defense mechanism that backfires. The need to be without flaws is your ego’s trick to keep your self-image "safe," which comes at the immense cost of opportunity because a perfectionist may only choose to do what they know they can do perfectly.
I've seen perfectionism halt journeys before they can start too many times.
Meanwhile, progress is how you reach your goals. Progress focuses on consistent momentum instead of precise outcomes. Done is better than perfect.
Perfectionism is not a trustworthy advisor. It convinces you to wait for the perfect launch conditions that never come in order to protect an imagined identity. Here’s the truth: striving for flawlessness often means flawed fulfillment. We trade our full potential for the illusion of control.
Perfectionism doesn't always look like obsessive nit-picking or type A control freak behavior. Sometimes it's way more subtle, like quickly dismissing ideas or passions as not good enough and ignoring stalled projects. Perfectionism can manifest as analysis paralysis in planning rather than doing and disguise avoidance as productivity. Recognizing perfectionism, even in subtle ways, is key to breaking through it.
If you make life decisions to gain the approval of others or to serve an idealized self-image, my advice is simple: find your nearest exit from that madness. It’s not real!
Ban perfectionism and practice Sloppy Starts. Give yourself complete permission to launch imperfectly, focusing on learning over results. By taking small, imperfect actions consistently, you build self-belief and skills. Sloppy Starts help turn what you don’t know yet into the stepping stones of your next best action.
BAN PERFECTIONISM
Recognize that done beats perfect every time.
Focus on improvement not approval.
Measure your progress against your past self rather than others.
Celebrate small consistent steps, not just end goals.
Give yourself extra credit for showing up through discomfort.
Progress means embracing the uncertainty of taking an imperfect step, failing, and iterating. It requires self-compassion, not self-criticism. Trading the false safety of perfectionism for the open road of progress is brave and rewarding. You'll surprise yourself with how much you can achieve.
Besides, our imperfections make us beautifully human. Show me a master of their craft who doesn’t have an archive of clown footage. Be Ryan Gosling dancing in foil hammer pants and go for it!
If this resonates with you, help make it stick by discussing it with a friend.
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Disclaimer: My Substack posts are my personal reflections and should not be taken as clinical guidance or treatment. Consult qualified experts regarding your specific health needs.