Why Perfectionism Holds You Back and Excellence Moves You Forward

Perfectionism is when your eyes are fixed on the outside. You’re constantly measuring yourself against what other people might think: Will they like this? Is it good enough? What if I fail and they notice?

That’s the trap. Perfectionism doesn’t move you forward - it keeps you frozen, polishing the same thing over and over, waiting for approval that may never come. 

Excellence, on the other hand, lives on the inside. It's not about being flawless, it’s about the effort you put in. It’s about knowing you showed up fully, gave your best, and can stand behind your work with integrity - even if it isn’t perfect. Excellence asks, “Am I proud of how I showed up today?” and that’s enough. 

The difference might sound small, but it’s everything. Perfectionism keeps you performing. Excellence keeps you progressing. 

Why Movement Matters More Than “Perfect”

Here’s the truth: everything you want is on the other side of what you’re working toward. You can’t wish yourself success. You can’t sit and wait for the perfect timing, the perfect plan, or the perfect outcome. 

There’s no perfection in success - there’s only movement. 

If you’re moving in the right direction, you will get there. It may take longer than you expected. It may look different than you pictured. But if you keep moving, you’ll arrive. The only thing that guarantees you won’t is standing still, waiting for perfection. 

A Personal Shift

When I was creating my first journal, naturally, I was looking for perfection. Waiting for the perfect time, the perfect outline, the perfect cover. I wanted to rewrite, redesign, and reimagine it until it was flawless. But I realized that if I waited until everything seemed perfect, it would never see the light of day. 

So I chose excellence instead. I poured my heart and passion into it, made sure it reflected my best effort, had some fun with designing, and picked a launch day. It was authentic. Did I make mistakes? Yes. But it was real. And because of that, it made an impact. 

That moment taught me something powerful: progress beats perfection every single time. 

The Takeaway

Excellence will move you forward. Perfectionism will keep you stuck. 

Ask yourself: Where am I holding back because I’m waiting for perfection? What would happen if I simply chose excellence instead - and kept moving? 

Choose excellence. Choose movement. That’s how you get to where you want to be. 

Reflective Challenge: Journal Prompt for the Reader

Write down one thing you’ve been holding back on because you want it to be perfect. Then, list one small, excellent step you can take this week to move it forward.