Perfectionism is the Enemy
How to Get Out of Your Own Way and Start Making Progress
The Weight of Perfectionism
I’ve been a perfectionist for as long as I can remember. And if I’m being honest, I don’t think you ever really beat perfectionism—you just learn how to live with it.
I remember being in third or fourth grade when I completely forgot about an assignment that was due. I have no idea if it was for math, English—honestly, it doesn’t matter. What I do remember is that gut-wrenching feeling of failure. It was first thing in the morning, and there was no time to scramble and finish it.
I wasn’t perfect. And that wrecked me.
That moment was just one of many. For most of my life, I felt like if I couldn’t do something perfectly, then why bother doing it at all? It held me back from starting things, from taking risks, from putting myself out there.
And even years later, that mindset still creeps in.
I saw it firsthand when I made one of my most successful videos.
It was a freezing December morning. I had just come inside after taking my dog Harley out, and my fingers were still numb. I had some talking points jotted down, but no full script—just an idea I believed in and a gut feeling that I needed to share it.
I wasn’t sure about the background music.
The subtitles felt off.
The video was longer than usual.
Normally, my perfectionist brain would have kept tweaking, delaying, waiting for it to feel “just right.”
But I didn’t.
I hit publish.
And then something strange happened.
This video blew my average performance out of the water. It kept climbing, day after day—more views, more likes, more comments. It resonated with people in a way I never expected.
And the only reason it reached anyone at all?
Because I didn’t let perfection stop me.
Why This Matters
Perfectionism feels like a strength, but in reality, it’s a trap.
We tell ourselves:
- I just need to tweak it a little more.
- I’ll put it out when it’s ready.
- It’s not quite perfect yet.
But what we’re really saying is:
🚨 I’m afraid to put this out there.
🚨 I don’t want to fail.
🚨 I don’t want to be judged.
And that’s exactly why perfectionism is the enemy of progress.
Instead of moving forward, we get stuck waiting for a moment that never comes.
How to Break Free from Perfectionism
Here’s the thing: You don’t have to let perfectionism control you. You can take back control with these simple strategies.
1. Failure is Your Greatest Teacher
Most of us are terrified of failure, but the truth is—failure teaches you more than success ever will.
The times you mess up? The times things don’t go the way you wanted? That’s where the best lessons live.
So instead of fearing failure, ask yourself:
💡 What can I learn from this?
2. Create a Checklist, Not a Moving Target
One of the best ways I’ve fought perfectionism is by using checklists instead of vague expectations.
For example, when I make a social media video, my checklist looks like this:
✅ Jot down talking points
✅ Record the video
✅ Trim the weird gaps at the beginning and end
✅ Add music & subtitles
✅ Write the social copy
✅ Publish
That’s it.
I give myself a set amount of time for each step (hello, Parkinson’s Law), and once it’s done—it’s done. No overthinking. No endless tweaking.
3. Perfect is the Enemy of Good Enough
Here’s a hard truth: 80% done and published beats 100% perfect but never shared.
Think about it—how many times have you delayed something for days, weeks, or even months because you wanted it to be perfect?
If something is 70-80% ready, it’s probably more than good enough to go out into the world.
4. Practice Self-Compassion (Be As Kind to Yourself as You Are to Others)
I’ll bet you have no problem giving grace to others.
“Oh, they made a mistake? No big deal. It happens.”
But when it comes to yourself? No grace. No room for error.
Start treating yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a friend. Journaling has helped me with this—at the end of the day, I write down:
✅ What went well today?
✅ What am I proud of?
Perfectionists tend to focus on what’s wrong. This flips that script.
5. Experiment Without Attachment
One of my favorite strategies is something I call A.B.E. – Always Be Experimenting.
Think of your work like a science experiment.
A scientist doesn’t get emotionally attached to a hypothesis—they test, observe, adjust, and test again.
💡 What happens if I publish this post today instead of next week?
💡 What if I try a different hook for my cold outreach?
💡 What if I change my morning routine and see how I feel?
There’s no failure in an experiment—only data.
The J.K. Rowling Mindset
If anyone had a reason to give up in the face of imperfection, it was J.K. Rowling.
Before Harry Potter became a global phenomenon, she was a single mom in Scotland, scribbling down ideas in cafés while her baby slept beside her.
She was rejected 12 times before finally landing a publisher.
Can you imagine?
Twelve times, someone told her this book isn’t good enough.
But instead of letting perfectionism win, she kept going.
And the result? A book series that changed millions of lives.
So ask yourself:
Are you going to let perfectionism keep your best ideas from ever seeing the light of day?
Or are you going to put them out there and let them grow?
Final Thought: It’s Time to Let Go of Perfect
At the end of the day, perfectionism is just fear wearing a fancy disguise.
But here’s the truth:
🚀 You don’t need to be perfect to make an impact.
🚀 You don’t need to be perfect to start.
🚀 You don’t need to be perfect to be successful.
So take a deep breath.
Take the pressure off.
And just get it out there.
Because the world doesn’t need perfect.
It needs you.