10 Fresh Mindset Habits to Overcome Perfectionism & Embrace Progress

Perfectionism.

Sounds like a good thing, right? I mean, it’s got the word “perfect” in it. So, what is perfection? Can we even define it? And why do we chase it so damn hard when, deep down, we know it doesn’t exist? Can’t we just be perfectly imperfect? Wouldn't that be easier? Yep, so many questions that it makes your head spin!

Perfectionism is a scam. It sells the dream of flawlessness but leaves you feeling exhausted, frustrated, and never quite enough. We spend years trying to mold ourselves into some polished version of who we think we should be, smoothing out our quirks and downplaying our weirdness, but for what? Who is this imaginary person handing out gold stars for being “perfect”?

The irony is that perfectionism doesn’t make us better. Instead, it makes us overthink, hesitate, and feel like frauds. We have to remember that we’re already enough, right now, exactly as we are—messy, imperfect, and beautifully real.

1. Let go of the fear of failure

Why does the fear of failure have such a powerful pull that it actually prevents us from doing anything?

We are so afraid of fucking up that we convince ourselves not to try at all. If you had to stop and actually think about what you have missed out on because you were afraid of failing, it would be very alarming.

Perfectionism and the fear of failure are like an overcaffeinated duo hell-bent on keeping you stuck, either paralyzed by the idea of messing up or burning yourself out trying to avoid even the tiniest mistake. But failure isn’t the enemy. It is feedback, a built-in navigation system that helps you figure out what works, what doesn’t, and what needs tweaking. The most successful people didn’t get everything right the first time. They failed, learned, and adjusted. The difference? They didn’t let failure define them. They used it as fuel and just kept on going.

The key to breaking free from perfectionism’s grip is to take action anyway—just hit and hope! Fear thrives on inaction, and the longer you wait, the scarier things seem. Your brain will throw out worst-case scenarios, but the best way to shut that down is to do the thing. Action dismantles fear faster than overthinking ever will, and that’s how real progress happens.

2. Redefine success

Success has been drilled into us since childhood. We were told the end goal was to good grades, a stable job, a house, a family, and retirement wrapped up in a neat little package. Society hands us this formula, and we chase it, often without stopping to ask if we even want this. We measure ourselves against someone else’s yardstick, push harder when we feel unfulfilled, and assume the problem is effort, not the goal itself. But what if the real issue isn’t that we aren’t working hard enough, but that we’re chasing the wrong version of success?

Success isn’t one-size-fits-all. For some, it’s financial freedom; for others, it’s having time to travel, raise happy kids, or just live life on their own terms. And none of those are wrong. The real win? Ditching the rigid formula and defining success for yourself, on your terms, in your own damn way.

3. Embrace mistakes as learning opportunities

What, you made a mistake? Shame on you!

Somewhere along the way, we got it into our heads that mistakes are something to be avoided at all costs. That getting things wrong is some kind of personal failure, a sign that we’re not smart enough, talented enough, or just not good enough. But if you really stop and think about it, that mindset makes absolutely no sense. Mistakes aren’t the enemy. They’re proof that you’re trying. They’re proof that you’re learning. And if you’re willing to lean into them instead of running from them, they can actually become your greatest tool for growth. I love the word “willing.” It brings up so many powerful images. Imagine what our life could be if only we were willing to…. To have the courage to step away from the safety of the shore.

Nobody ever got good at anything without first being terrible at it, and even the most successful people have had their fair share of royal fuck-ups. Mistakes aren’t disasters; they’re data. Feedback showing what doesn’t work, so we can figure out what does. Look at babies learning to walk; they don’t just give up after falling, they keep going. But somewhere along the way, we start treating mistakes as shameful instead of seeing them as stepping stones to progress. The truth is, waiting until you’re “ready” often means waiting forever. Real growth comes from trying, failing, and learning along the way.

4. Silence your inner critic

The person who is stopping you from reaching your full potential is you!

It is amazing to think that we are our own worst enemy, in stopping ourselves from trying to seek opportunities and improve our lives. Yes, most of us will quickly come up with 100 external influences that we feel are restricting us from reaching greatness, and whilst these do have different degrees of impact and influence, it all comes back to us.

That voice in your head? It’s a relentless little wasp, always whispering doubts, tearing you down, and convincing you that every mistake is proof you’re not good enough. It never shuts up, never takes a holiday, and definitely doesn’t believe you deserve peace of mind. But it’s not even you. Those words are just old fears and bullshit narratives you’ve absorbed over time. Instead of blindly believing them, start calling them out. Challenge that voice like you would a drunk idiot giving life advice, and replace it with a voice that actually has your back.

5. Let go of the all-or-nothing mindset

Life isn’t black or white. There are always shades of grey.

Perfectionism is a sneaky, overbearing pest that makes us think we have to get everything just right, or else we’ve failed completely. But real progress isn’t about doing things flawlessly, it’s about showing up, making adjustments, and learning as you go. As a new writer, I’ve made my fair share of fuck-ups, from content writing to website design to marketing. At first, I obsessed over getting it all perfect, but I quickly realized that nothing stays “right” for long. Strategies need tweaking, ideas evolve, and mistakes are part of the ride.

The all-or-nothing mindset will have you convinced that if you can’t do something perfectly, it’s not worth doing at all, but that’s simply wrong. Progress is messy, filled with detours and lessons, and that’s exactly how it should be. It’s not about nailing it every time; it’s about keeping at it, even when things don’t go as planned. Because showing up, even imperfectly, is what truly moves you forward.

6. Detach from external validation

We live in a world where validation seems to be everywhere. Whether it’s a thumbs up on social media, a compliment from a colleague, or the praise from a friend or family member, we are constantly seeking some kind of approval from the outside world.

Have you ever noticed how quickly that sense of pride fades when it comes from someone else? It’s like a temporary high that wears off, leaving you right where you started. What if, instead of waiting for others to notice your achievements, you started recognizing and celebrating your own growth on your own terms? No more relying on likes, compliments, or external praise to feel accomplished, because your effort, your hustle, and your progress are valid, even if no one else acknowledges them. Imagine how freeing that could be.

We often put our worth in the hands of other people. These could be bosses, friends, or even strangers on the internet, but no one is more invested in your success than you are. So why wait for their stamp of approval? Detaching from external validation doesn’t mean ignoring feedback; it means trusting yourself enough to know that your journey is yours to define, and you don’t need permission to be proud of it.

7. Set realistic goals

Perfectionism is about setting big, wonderful goals and then successfully achieving them with no mistakes. And all your dreams are coming true. Yep, this is just a big crock of shit.

We all want big, aspirational goals, but if they’re not realistic, they can do more harm than good. There’s nothing wrong with setting goals that push you while still being achievable because the last thing you need is to set yourself up for burnout or frustration when things don’t go exactly as planned.

Progress takes time, and whether it’s getting fit, learning a new skill, or making a career move, the real key is breaking big ideas into smaller, manageable steps that allow for flexibility when life inevitably throws its curveballs. This allows you to adjust, keep moving forward, and actually enjoy the process instead of feeling like you’re constantly failing.

8. Take imperfect action

Doing something is better than doing nothing.

Taking imperfect action is one of those game-changing habits that can really shift the way you approach your goals. We’ve all been there, waiting for that “perfect” moment to start something or hoping the conditions are just right. We have all said, “I’ll wait until tomorrow”, like the day will bring two rainbows and unlimited unicorns. Tomorrow will bring its own challenges that will also make us resist starting something. Now, I’m not trying to be a killjoy and point out that every day is horrible. Instead, I’m saying there will never be the perfect day of pure utopia that you may have conjured up in your head. So why not take action today?

Perfection is an illusion, and waiting for the "perfect" moment is often just an excuse to stay stuck. Life doesn’t run on your timeline, and if you keep holding off until everything aligns, you’ll be waiting forever. The only way to break free from that cycle is to start. No doubt it will be messy, unpolished, unsure, but at least you are moving. Mistakes will happen, but they’re how you learn and grow. Progress isn’t about getting it right the first time; it’s about showing up and taking that first step.

9. Focus on the present

Perfectionism has a sneaky way of pulling us out of the present moment. It tricks us into thinking that unless we’ve reached that perfectly polished end result, we’re not “there” yet. We are not at the end of the rainbow, so no pot of gold for you, my friend.

Instead of constantly chasing some perfect future, why not enjoy where you are right now? That perfectionist mindset tricks you into believing that life will only be good once everything is just right, but the truth is, the magic is happening in this moment, flaws, messiness, and all. The future is unpredictable, and no amount of overthinking will change that, so take a breath, loosen your grip, and focus on today. Life’s a hell of a lot more fun when you just live.

10. Celebrate small wins

Perfectionism has this sneaky way of making us feel like nothing is ever quite good enough. We set these sky-high expectations for ourselves, chase after impossible standards, and then, when we inevitably fall short, we go all in on self-criticism. Now I’m not going to lie, but this is a pretty crappy way to live life. Why can’t we stop every now and again and appreciate, but more importantly, celebrate what we have achieved?

It’s exhausting. And honestly, it’s a little unfair to ourselves. Remember, progress isn’t about giant leaps forward. It’s about the small, consistent steps that build up over time. It’s all the little, uneventful wins that add up. I like to think of it as compound interest for my financial friends out there. Saving a bit of money here and there may not seem like much now, but it pays big dividends over time.

So, recognize all the small steps on the way. If you never stop to acknowledge those steps, you’re missing out on one of the most rewarding parts of growth.

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