First 5 Steps for Embracing Progress Over Perfection to Forge Your Path to Productivity and Growth

Are you tired of chasing perfection and feeling stuck in a cycle of never-ending self-critique? It's time to break free and embrace progress over perfection. In this journey towards a more productive and fulfilling life, you'll learn how to let go of the need for flawlessness and instead focus on the small, impactful steps that lead to growth and success.?

Hi, I’m Bel and I’m a recovering perfectionist.?

Join me as we delve into the power of choosing progress over perfection and discover the first 5 critical steps you will need to take to propel your life forward.

Life is a series of challenges and triumphs, and my recent experiences have taught me that it's not about achieving a state of perfection but about making continuous progress. Imagine facing your fears, taking on new opportunities, and even embracing imperfections – all while thriving and achieving your goals. I stumbled upon this life-changing mantra during my time as a She Codes coding student in 2021, and I've been living by it ever since.

Introducing the mantra: Progress Over Perfection (PROP) Did I mention I'm a Marketer - so had to make it an acronym! #acronymsforthewin This simple yet powerful phrase encapsulates the idea that it's okay to prioritize progress over the unattainable goal of perfection. Embrace it, live it, and watch your life transform.

It was profound for me as I realised I had always prescribed to this thinking but had never properly identified with it to empower me in becoming the most successful I have ever been and be inspired enough to share it with the world!

I was a procrastinating perfectionist seeking progress, just not making it or making it slowly as I was getting in my own way!?

My hope for you being here is that this mantra or any of the tips and tricks I have picked up over the years resonate with you and help you even to make the smallest amount of progress, that is what we're here for. Let's do this!

Let's embark on a journey together to overcome our inner perfectionists, awaken our inner progress tigers, and unleash unprecedented productivity in every facet of life. Buckle up as we explore the essence of progress, break free from the chains of perfectionism, and embrace the progress-driven mindset that leads to real growth.

Progress > Perfection

As children, we were often taught that perfection was the ultimate goal. Remember the phrase "practice makes perfect"? Let’s normalise “practice makes progress” from now on.?

Your ability to progress and be productive (not perfect) will be one of the critical determinants of your professional success and personal happiness.?

The road to being more productive can be long, so it's important to stay focused on progress one step at a time.

How about being perfect??

I love this quote from anime creator Tite Kubo…?

“In this world, perfection is an illusion…what meaning is there in perfection? None. Not a bit. ...After perfection there exists nothing higher. Not even room for creation which means there is no room for wisdom or talent either. Understand? To scientists like ourselves, perfection is despair.”?

We want our life to have more meaning than this, life is about creation, learning, growing, changing, and progressing.?

Nobody's perfect.?

Particularly for myself as a woman, with many different societal pressures to be perfect - have the perfect body, be the wife, be the mother, be the career woman. Putting perfection over progress? Overwhelming to say the least, stressful, unfair, impossible.?

Renowned researcher and writer Brené Brown highlights an important distinction.

“Perfectionism is not the same thing as striving to be your best,” she writes. “Perfection is not about healthy achievement and growth.”

Healthy achievement and growth come from a different place—a progress mindset.

Choosing progress over perfection is a way to enhance our lives, promote positive learning and performance, and foster healthier connections with those around us.

I am intimately familiar with the pitfalls of being a perfectionist and the agony and heartache it has caused me all my life. My inner people pleaser was constantly seeking perfection at every turn. My inner procrastinator was having a field day! Winning at every turn. It's easy to procrastinate when you're aiming for perfection!

It was incredibly relieving for me to let go of perfection and instead focus on small steps of progress.?

Cool beans Bel, but how do we just flip the perfectionist switch to off??

First 5 Steps to Embrace Progress

To live a life filled with progress there are some fundamental steps we will need to master.?

Here are the first 5 steps to focus on to embrace progress over perfection:

1. Take control of your thoughts
2. Seek fast feedback
3. Embrace saying “No”
4. Be Unapologetic
5. Celebrate small wins/progress

Let’s dive a little deeper into each.?

Step 1 - Take control of your thoughts

Your thoughts shape your behaviours. Identify unhelpful ones and replace them with empowering ones.

Simplistically how do we do this?

Well, your beliefs and consequent behaviours don't just spring out of some random human algorithm, although I wish that was my excuse sometimes!

What I've learnt is that generally speaking it is widely accepted that...

Behaviours are fuelled by our beliefs, which are formed based on the stories that we tell ourselves, which are coloured by our feelings and our feelings are created through our... Thoughts!

Thoughts are where it begins, we must control our thoughts, consciously tune into them and catch them, deciding whether they are helpful or unhelpful. Be careful of your thoughts, as they will become your reality. One way to move away from perfectionism is to replace self-critical talk with realistic or helpful statements even if you do not believe them right away.?

Enough repetition will turn positive realistic thoughts into a habit and you won't need to think about it, as it will just come more naturally.

Be careful of your thoughts, be conscious of your thoughts, be in control of your thoughts

Controlling your thoughts is the most powerful life tool you can master because it will shape your reality and behaviours.

Step 2 - Get Fast Feedback

Seek feedback regularly and sooner than you think. Then learn from it. Feedback and failures are the stepping stones to progress.

This was revolutionary for me as a serial perfectionist, my MD even has a term for my perfection it was called ‘Bel Scope’ where I would deliver an entire office interior decorated when simply a stapler was requested!?

This is what we came up with to help us make progress.?

Get your work concept in front of your boss asap for fast feedback on the direction.?Each time you submit for specific quick fast feedback you are showing progress from the step before.?

You are allowing your manager to guide you on the next steps for progress and then have a roadmap of steps to take to progress.?

I once submitted a concept after about 3 mins of work and the MD thought it was the best piece of creative I’d ever done! Content I would normally spend hours agonising over, done and onto the next in just 5 mins! Blew us both away! 5-6 hrs down to 5 mins if that's not progress I don't know what is.

How can you apply that in your work? How will you request fast feedback at the beginning not the end to be better today?

Step 3 - Embrace Saying "No"

Learn to prioritize and focus on what truly matters by harnessing the power of "No".

Easier said than done right? I still feel a huge pain of discomfort saying no and am still learning how to when it comes to my personal life...

Perhaps to give it more professional context you can include...

“While I'm not able to assist, perhaps I can recommend someone who can or a resource that would help.” = NO

This winning formula from CEO coach Matt Mochary is helpful, polite and professional:

“While I am sure I would enjoy that, I am choosing to focus my time on my top priorities, which are ____,____ and ____. And therefore I cannot accommodate your request.” = NO

Step 4 - Be Unapologetic

Replace apologies with gratitude for the journey you're on.

There are moments that require a sorry. Many don’t.?

I challenge you to catch yourself apologising for being late to a meeting, for missing that error, for saying no.

Instead, the re-frame is “Thank you for your patience in waiting for me”, “thank you for identifying that error, I appreciate your eagle eye and the opportunity to improve”, or “thank you for understanding I don’t currently have the capacity to assist here”

Let's normalise reframing these moments from a sorry to a thank you to help move you away from a place of disempowerment and fear to a place of gratitude and appreciation.?

You are NOT sorry that you’re not perfect, You are THANKFUL you are making progress.?

Step 5 - Celebrate Small Wins

Reflect on your progress and celebrate even the smallest of victories.

By celebrating the small steps, we can shift our mindset away from perfectionism, and this binary succeed/fail mentality, and calibrate towards a progress mindset.?

Did you finish writing a chapter? Celebrate! Did you apply to five new jobs this week? Celebrate! Did you stand your ground in a hard conversation? Celebrate it!

Progress Mindset in Action

Now ask yourself these questions:

1. What 1 thought could you change??
2. What could you ask for fast feedback on?
3. What could you say no to in order to make time for progress?
4. What 1 reframe could you make?
5. What small win could you celebrate?

Remember, progress comes from consistent, incremental steps. It's not about achieving instant perfection, but about evolving and growing.

As Reid Hoffman, founder of LinkedIn wisely said

"If you're not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you've launched too late."

Progress over perfection Bel, 80% is progress, now, go!

Pro Tip = Always go at 80% or less to keep the progress train rolling. Apply this philosophy to your life and see the transformation it brings.

Perfectionism hindered me more than I will ever know or be able to measure.?It is a disastrous trap that can crush your creativity and bring a grinding halt to your outcomes.?

None of us, especially as women are immune to it and I struggle with it every day however I am more conscious of it now and can act accordingly, I can PROP it!??

Anytime you feel perfection paralyse happening PROP yourself up.?

PRogress Over Perfection (PROP).

This simple mantra, progress over perfection, will help you create more swiftly and joyfully.

Most importantly, it’ll help you stay grounded in growth.

This mantra is about taking consistent steps or actions. Not expecting the road to be free of bumps, bruises, or detours. Not waiting until everything is perfect.

So let’s stop beating ourselves up trying to be perfect.?

You are a work in progress.?

Every day you are taking steps that not everyone will see, you may not even notice.?Every day you will be a little bit better, a little bit stronger, a little bit wiser.?

You live. You learn. You upgrade. You repeat.?

Free yourself from perfectionism so you can progress into the beautiful human you are becoming and always dreamed of whilst sharing your gifts with the world.

Join the PROP Movement

Are you ready to embark on this exciting journey of progress over perfection? Connect with me to learn more about how you can integrate this powerful mantra into your life. Let's embrace PROP together. Remember, you're not alone on this journey. Join the community of progress enthusiasts and start living your best, most productive life.

Now, go forth, make progress, and embrace the incredible journey of life ahead! ???? #ProgressOverPerfection #ProgressJourney #ImNotPerfectAndThatsOK #recoveringperfectionist