Why It’s Important to Show Our Kids That Life is About Progress, Not Perfection

As a working mother and entrepreneur, raising a teenager has taught me countless lessons—both in life and in business. At 21, I launched my first entrepreneurial venture, full of energy and excitement, and found early success. But as time went on, the pressure of "what ifs" began to creep in—questions like, am I gaining enough experience, exposure, or skills? By 23, I made the tough decision to step away from entrepreneurship and immerse myself in the corporate world, learning the ins and outs of marketing, HR, and management. In 2018, I returned to entrepreneurship, this time with a new mindset, shaped by the invaluable experience I had gained in the corporate sphere.

This journey has given me insights, but more importantly, it’s shaped how I parent and lead by example for my daughter. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned, both for myself and for her, is that life is not about perfection. It’s about progress.

Vulnerability as a Strength

For a long time, especially in my earlier years, I thought that being successful meant never showing weakness. I believed I had to be the “perfect” professional, wife, mother, and friend. But life doesn’t work like that. The truth is, we face challenges—both personal and professional—and the ability to rise, fall, and keep going is where true strength lies.

As parents, especially mothers, we often feel the pressure to model an ideal version of ourselves to our kids. But I’ve found that one of the most powerful things I can do is show my daughter my vulnerabilities. She sees when I face obstacles in my business, when I make mistakes, or when I’m simply overwhelmed. It’s in those moments that I have the opportunity to teach her something invaluable—that resilience and progress matter far more than perfection.

Leading by Example

I think about the next generation constantly, especially as I look at my daughter navigating her teenage years. There’s immense pressure on young people today to succeed, to look perfect on social media, and to achieve certain standards. But what happens when they inevitably fall short? That’s where we, as parents and leaders, come in.

By sharing the reality of my own journey—both the wins and the struggles—I am showing her that success doesn’t happen overnight. It’s the culmination of years of hard work, learning from failure, and consistently striving to improve. It’s important to let our kids see us in all our facets, especially when things don’t go as planned.

I want her to know that being human is a strength, not a flaw. That life, like entrepreneurship, is full of pivots, restarts, and growth through trial and error.

The Imperfection of Entrepreneurship

When I ventured back into business in 2018, I knew I was stepping into a world of uncertainty. I wasn’t just leading from a consultant’s chair—I was now in the driver’s seat, feeling the weight of every decision and responsibility. There were times I doubted myself, moments where I wanted to quit. But I kept going, because running a business is about endurance, learning, and adapting.

And that’s the lesson I want to pass on—not just to my daughter, but to anyone who looks to me for guidance. Life, entrepreneurship, and even parenting aren’t about getting it right the first time. They’re about having the courage to start, the resilience to continue, and the grace to accept that not everything will be perfect.

Progress Over Perfection

At the end of the day, the goal is not to create perfect children, perfect careers, or perfect lives. The goal is to model growth. It’s to show the next generation that they, too, can embrace their imperfections, learn from them, and become stronger in the process.

By sharing our vulnerability with our kids, we are giving them the gift of authenticity. We are teaching them that success is not a straight line, but a series of small, often messy steps forward. And in that, they will learn that they don’t have to be perfect—they just have to keep moving.

In my own life and business, that’s the lesson I’ve embraced. And that’s the legacy I hope to leave for my daughter—and for anyone following a similar path. Progress over perfection, always.

Meet Senela:

A Global Leadership Expert & Award-Winning CEO, globally recognized, known for her work in empowering leaders and promoting gender equality in leadership. As the Managing Director of Collective Leadership Global Ltd (UK) and Founder & CEO of Women Empowered Global, Senela has made significant contributions to leadership development, corporate growth, and women’s empowerment across the world. Key Achievements:- Multi-award-winning leader, including: - Exceptional Women of Excellence Award by Women Economic Forum - Women Icons Asia award - Global Women in Leadership Award 2022 - Featured in THE TOP 150 GLOBAL WOMEN LEADERS by GCPIT - Founder of 1 Million Women in Power initiative, advancing gender equality and leadership visibility for women in business, corporate, and STEM sectors.

Contact Senela:

[email protected]

www.senelaofficial.com