Progress Over Perfection: A Recovering Perfectionist's Journey.

I need to confess: I'm a recovering perfectionist. Growing up as the oldest of seven kids, chaos wasn't just a possibility in our house; it was practically a guarantee. My survival strategy? Control what I could. Chores became my domain, and if you'd walked into our home, you'd find my room in immaculate order while the rest of the house hummed with the beautiful disorder of a large family. That pristine bedroom became my sanctuary, proof that I could master at least one small corner of the world.

This need for order followed me into adulthood, from my own home to my professional life. But somewhere along the way, I realized my perfectionism had become a cage rather than a strength. The very trait that helped me navigate childhood chaos was now preventing me from stepping into new ideas and ventures. I couldn't move forward unless everything was perfect, and here's the uncomfortable truth: I missed opportunities because of it. Real, tangible opportunities that required action, rather than polish.

The shift didn't happen overnight. Learning to choose movement over perfection has been deliberate work, especially for someone like me, who is wired in this way. I'm in a new phase now, one filled with experimentation and travel, where I'm pushing myself harder than ever to embrace progress over the illusion of perfection. The strategy is simple but not easy: put one foot in front of the other and take whatever steps necessary to maintain forward momentum.
What's made the difference? The people around me. I've surrounded myself with incredible individuals who cheer me forward and, just as importantly, call me out when I'm playing it safe or hiding behind the perfection card (or its close cousin, the lazy card). That honest feedback is invaluable.

Here's what I've learned: perfection is often fear wearing a respectable disguise. It's the voice that says, "not yet" when what we really need to hear is "good enough, now go." Perfect plans gather dust, while imperfect actions create results. The messy first draft leads to the polished final version. The awkward first attempt becomes the foundation for mastery.
Progress beats perfection not because excellence doesn't matter, but because waiting for perfect conditions means never starting at all. The best time to begin is rarely when everything aligns flawlessly; it's when you decide that forward motion matters more than flawless execution.

So, here's to the small step. The bold first draft. The essay you post before editing five more times. The new venture you try before you feel ready.
Wherever you find yourself today, I'd encourage you to ask: What am I not starting because I'm waiting for perfect? What opportunity is passing by while I'm still polishing the plan? Sometimes the most perfect thing we can do is to be imperfect and move anyway.

Progress wins. Every time.
-Michelle