Why Progress Matters More Than Perfection

The Trap of Perfection

I used to believe that if I couldn’t do something perfectly, I shouldn’t do it at all.

If my room wasn’t going to be spotless, why bother cleaning?

If my first draft of a story wasn’t going to be a masterpiece, why even start writing?

This mindset made me a world-class procrastinator. I was so focused on the impossible — flawless execution — that I rarely made any real progress.

And the truth is, perfection isn’t the goal. Progress is.

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The Day I Learned the Lesson

It was a rainy Tuesday when my friend Lena invited me to join her at the gym.

I hadn’t exercised in months, and I knew I couldn’t keep up with her. I almost said no.

But she said something simple that stuck with me:

“You don’t need to run the whole race today. Just show up.”

So I did.

I walked on the treadmill for twenty minutes, barely breaking a sweat. And yet, when I left, I felt better — not just physically, but mentally. I had taken a step forward.

That day, I realized: imperfect action is still action.

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Why Progress Beats Perfection

Perfection is like a finish line that keeps moving away from you. The closer you get, the farther it seems.

Progress, on the other hand, rewards you for every step, no matter how small.

Here’s why focusing on progress works better:

• It builds momentum.

Each small win makes it easier to take the next step.

• It reduces fear.

When the goal is “better,” not “perfect,” the pressure drops.

• It teaches you as you go.

You learn from mistakes — and mistakes are impossible if you’re aiming for perfection.

• It celebrates the journey.

Progress turns every day into an opportunity for growth.

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My Writing Journey

When I first started writing online, I spent hours rewriting the same paragraph. I’d delete sentences, replace them, then delete them again.

Sometimes, after an entire evening, I had nothing to show for it.

The turning point came when I set a new rule for myself: Write badly, but finish.

It felt wrong at first. But the more I practiced, the more I realized my “bad” drafts were better than I thought — and even if they weren’t, they taught me how to write better ones.

Today, I write far more than I ever did when I was chasing perfection. And because I’ve practiced more, my work naturally improves over time.

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How You Can Focus on Progress

If you’ve been stuck waiting for the “perfect” time, the “perfect” skill level, or the “perfect” conditions, here’s a truth: that day may never come.

But you can start now.

Here are a few ideas:

1. Set tiny goals.

Instead of “I’ll run 5 miles,” try “I’ll walk for 10 minutes.”

2. Track your wins.

Keep a journal or app where you note what you did each day.

3. Lower the bar.

Give yourself permission to do something at 60% effort if that’s all you have today.

4. Focus on showing up.

Consistency matters more than intensity.

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The Freedom in Imperfection

When we let go of perfection, we free ourselves to actually live.

We stop holding our happiness hostage until we’ve achieved an unrealistic standard.

Progress isn’t always glamorous. It’s messy, uneven, and full of detours. But it’s also where the real growth happens — in the act of moving forward, not in the fantasy of being flawless.

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Final Thought

If there’s something you’ve been putting off because you don’t feel “ready” or “good enough,” take one imperfect step today.

Because when you look back a year from now, you won’t remember how perfect each step was — you’ll only see how far you’ve come.

Moral:

Progress, no matter how small, will always take you farther than waiting for perfection.

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Thank you for reading...

Regards: Fazal Hadi