Why letting go of perfection might be the best decision you make
We live in a world that loves the polished version.
Perfectly curated lives on social media. Perfect pitches in meetings. Perfect productivity hacks. Perfect homes, perfect photos, perfect outcomes.
But beneath all that perfection is often something very human: pressure, fatigue, and the creeping sense that no matter how hard we try, we’re always a step behind.
I used to think the goal — both professionally and personally — was to “get it right.” To have things lined up neatly. To avoid the awkward missteps, the missed deadlines, the wrong words in the wrong moment. To never drop the ball.
But the older I get, the more I realise: perfection is not the point.
It’s not where growth lives.
It’s not where connection forms.
And it’s certainly not where joy hides.
Perfection is a performance.
Living is something else entirely.
The Cost of Chasing Perfect
Perfectionism can masquerade as ambition, or high standards, or “just wanting to do a good job.” And yes — excellence is important. Care is valuable. Pride in your work matters.
But perfectionism? It comes with a cost:
It makes you delay starting, because it’s never quite the right time.
It keeps you second-guessing every choice.
It robs you of the satisfaction of being done.
And worst of all, it disconnects you from other people. Because if you’re always performing perfection, how can anyone get close?
We forget: the most impactful conversations, the most meaningful relationships, and the most transformative work often come from messy beginnings. From vulnerability. From honesty. From the courage to try — even if the outcome isn’t flawless.
Embracing the “Good Enough” Moments
There’s power in showing up — not because you have everything figured out, but because you care enough to try.
The rough first draft that leads to the real insight.
The apology that comes out clumsy but sincere.
The project that wasn’t perfect but pushed something forward.
The day you didn’t “crush it,” but you kept going.
This is the real stuff of life. And of leadership. And of growth.
We don’t need to be perfect to be trusted, respected, or successful.
We need to be real.
What Living an Imperfect Life Looks Like
It looks like making space for mistakes — in yourself and others.
It looks like saying “I don’t know” in a meeting and being okay with it.
It looks like letting go of the need to impress and focusing instead on the need to connect.
It looks like finding peace in being a work in progress.
When we drop the perfection act, we become more creative. More resilient. More human.
And we make it easier for others to do the same.
Final Thought: Let It Be Messy
If you’re reading this and feeling the weight of high expectations — whether you’re leading a team, changing careers, building something new, or just trying to hold it all together — this is your reminder:
You’re allowed to be figuring it out.
You’re allowed to have an off day.
You’re allowed to not know.
You don’t need to be perfect to be worthy, capable, or enough.
You just need to be honest. And kind. And willing to grow.
That’s where the magic is.
If this resonated with you, I’d love to hear how you’re learning to live more imperfectly. What are you letting go of? What are you learning to embrace?
#ProgressNotPerfection #HumanAtWork #AuthenticLeadership #GrowthMindset #ImperfectLife #SubstackReflections
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