When was the last time you let yourself just be? We live in a world that constantly pushes us to do more, hustle harder, and chase perfection. But what if true freedom—and real success—comes from letting go and simply taking action? It’s time to stop waiting for the perfect moment and start thriving.
We often face unrealistic pressure, always demanding more from ourselves. It’s easy to fall into the perfectionism trap—waiting for the “perfect” time, the “perfect” circumstances, or the “perfect” product before making a move. But what if that perfect moment never comes? Perfectionism doesn’t just hold us back—it creates unnecessary pressure, keeps us stuck, and robs us of progress, joy, and fulfillment.
So how do we get past it? How do we learn to take action, even when things aren’t perfect? Here are practical ways to overcome perfectionism and “just do it”—because good enough is often more than enough.
1. Reframe Your Definition of Success
Perfectionism often stems from a fear of failure or the belief that we need to achieve a flawless outcome to succeed. The first step in overcoming this mindset is to redefine success. Success doesn’t mean perfect execution; it means growth, learning, and progress. Each step you take, even if imperfect, brings you closer to your goals.
Ask yourself: Are you more interested in the appearance of success, or in actual progress? Shift your focus from flawless outcomes to meaningful action. Success isn’t about getting it right on the first try; it’s about showing up and trying at all.
2. Take Imperfect Action
One of the most powerful ways to overcome perfectionism is to take imperfect action. This means doing something—anything—without waiting for all the conditions to be perfect. Instead of spending hours fine-tuning your work before releasing it, put it out there with its imperfections. Each imperfect action you take builds momentum and reinforces that you don’t need to be perfect to make progress.
Think of it this way: You can’t improve what doesn’t exist. Once you take that first step, you have something to work with, refine, and grow from. Action creates clarity, and clarity leads to better results over time.
3. Stop Overthinking, Start Doing
Perfectionists often get caught in a cycle of overthinking. You might find yourself spending hours analyzing options, trying to anticipate every possible outcome, and waiting for the “right” time. But this overthinking is a form of procrastination disguised as preparation.
The solution? Set a timer for yourself and take immediate action, even if it’s small. Whether it’s sending that email, starting the project, or sharing your work, the key is to start. Break the cycle of analysis paralysis by focusing on doing, not thinking. Overthinking won’t bring you closer to your goals, but action will.
4. Embrace Failure as Part of the Process
Perfectionism is rooted in the fear of failure, but failure is a necessary part of growth. Every successful person has faced setbacks, made mistakes, and experienced failure along the way. The difference is they didn’t let it stop them.
Shift your perspective: failure isn’t the opposite of success; it’s a step toward it. Each mistake is an opportunity to learn, adjust, and try again. When you embrace failure as part of the process, it loses its power over you, and perfectionism no longer has a hold on your actions.
5. Set Realistic Expectations
Perfectionism thrives on unrealistic expectations—whether it’s expecting yourself to perform flawlessly or believing that success should happen overnight. Instead, set realistic goals and timelines that account for mistakes, learning curves, and adjustments along the way.
Break big projects into smaller, manageable tasks. Focus on completing these smaller steps one at a time rather than overwhelming yourself with the full picture. This keeps you moving forward without the pressure of having everything figured out perfectly from the start.
6. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection
Perfectionism tends to focus on what’s missing or wrong, but it’s important to acknowledge what’s going well. Start celebrating progress rather than perfection. Each small win is a step in the right direction.
By shifting your focus to progress, you reinforce the idea that taking action is more important than achieving perfection. Celebrating small wins boosts your motivation, keeps you on track, and helps you maintain a positive mindset.
7. Surround Yourself with Support
Perfectionism often isolates us, making us feel like we have to handle everything alone. But surrounding yourself with supportive people who encourage you to take action, even when it’s not perfect, can make a huge difference.
Whether it’s a mentor, a friend, or a community, find people who understand your goals and remind you that progress is more important than perfection. They can offer valuable feedback, hold you accountable, and help you move forward when you’re feeling stuck.
8. Practice Self-Compassion
Perfectionism is rooted in self-criticism and fear of not being good enough. To overcome it, practice self-compassion. Treat yourself with kindness and understanding when things don’t go perfectly. Recognize that everyone makes mistakes, and those mistakes don’t define your worth.
When you approach yourself with compassion, you free yourself from the pressure of perfectionism and allow room for growth. Remember, you’re human, and imperfection is part of the journey.
For more insights on breaking through perfectionism and taking bold action, I encourage you to listen to the episode “Breaking Through Fear with Rachel Brooks & Jackie Kannier” on The Confident Woman Podcast. This episode discusses how to overcome fear and perfectionism, offering practical tools to help you take imperfect action and move forward with confidence. By tuning in, you’ll gain valuable strategies that support the ideas shared here, helping you reclaim your power and embrace progress over perfection.
By learning to get past perfectionism, you’ll open the door to progress, growth, and success. Instead of waiting for the perfect moment or the perfect outcome, take action, learn along the way, and trust that good enough is more than enough.
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Meet the expert:
Rachel Brooks is a transformational coach, holistic personal growth expert, and award-winning author of Chasing Perfection: A Journey to Healing, Fitness, and Self-Love. As the founder of The Confident Woman and host of The Confident Woman Podcast, Rachel empowers high-achieving women to break free from the hustle mentality and embrace a balanced, fulfilling life. She helps women prioritize their physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being while cultivating the confidence to thrive in all areas of life.
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