Why It’s Progress, Not Perfection

If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years — as a coach, creator, and former perfectionist — it’s that chasing “perfect” is one of the fastest ways to stall progress.

For years, I thought perfection meant professionalism. I’d re-record videos, rewrite blog posts, tweak slides endlessly — always believing I could make it just a bit better. But what I eventually realised is that “better” never arrives. There’s always another tweak, another adjustment, another reason not to press publish.

Perfection isn’t a goal. It’s a delay strategy.

When I work with coaches and online creators, I often see the same pattern. Someone will say, “I’ll launch my course once I’ve polished the videos,” or “I’ll post once I’ve got the branding right.” The intention is good — we care about the quality of our work. But what we don’t always notice is how that care can quietly become fear in disguise.

The truth is, progress creates confidence — not perfection.

I’ve seen it with clients and I’ve experienced it myself: the moment you take action, even if it’s messy or imperfect, something shifts. You move from thinking about the thing to doing the thing. And once you’re in motion, clarity follows.

Here’s a little exercise you can try this week:

Think of one project, post, or idea that’s been sitting unfinished. Ask yourself, What’s the smallest next step I can take to move this forward today?

It might be scheduling a recording, uploading a draft, or simply hitting publish. Don’t wait until it feels ready — act while it’s real.

Every video, blog, or course you admire online didn’t start perfect. It started somewhere.

And if you’re worried about how your work will be received, remember this: your audience isn’t looking for perfect — they’re looking for you. Your real voice, your message, your energy. That’s what creates connection.

So the next time you catch yourself tweaking or overthinking, pause and remind yourself — done is better than perfect.

Because every time you finish something and share it with the world, you take another step forward. And that, in the long run, is how real growth happens.