During a HIT session, my trainer said something that stopped me in my tracks:
“Perfection is the lowest standard you can hold for yourself. Because perfection doesn’t exist - there is no standard to measure against.”
My brain immediately went to: Lowest standard??
That line hit, because I still notice moments of perfectionism in myself.
But the more I sat with her words, the clearer they became.
Perfection asks us to chase an illusion. There’s no finish line only hesitation.
And this is something I often remind my clients:
Stop trying to show up perfectly the first time - or even the tenth.
Just show up with what you have in that moment.
Consistency, not perfection, is what moves us forward.
If you show up every day, even imperfectly, you build momentum.
And momentum naturally elevates you to the next level.
Many of my clients struggle under the weight of perfectionism.
It drains energy, erodes confidence, and quietly shrinks how they show up in the world.
I understand this deeply, because I lived it.
I once believed perfection was a standard.
In reality, it was a distraction, and often, an expression of insecurity.
Insecurity that can take many forms:
Will they accept me?
Will I look foolish?
Will I be enough?
Here’s the truth:
Do not let an idealized, unattainable image keep you from the life you want.
Life is inherently messy.
And within that messiness lives growth, expansion, and possibility - far beyond what rigid expectations can ever offer.
So as you evolve into a new version of yourself, consider this shift:
What if your aim moved from perfection to excellence?
Excellence is not flawless.
It’s intentional.
It’s authentic.
It’s defined by the life you choose to design.
A ‘New Standard’ Reset
Pause: Take one deep breath.
Notice the tension that comes from wanting to get it “right.”
Identify: Ask yourself, “What would ‘good enough’ look like today?”
Not this week, not in the future, today.
Choose: Select one action you can take with the capacity you have now. Just one.
Execute: Complete that action without revisiting, editing, or overanalyzing it.
Reflect: When you finish, acknowledge the effort instead of the outcome.
Say to yourself:
“Showing up today was enough.
Excellence is built one imperfect action at a time.”
Repeat this practice daily for one week and watch how the pressure of perfection shifts into momentum, clarity, and confidence.
If you’re done letting perfection delay the life you really want, this is the work.
I coach ambitious individuals who are ready to trade self-pressure for self-leadership and create results through consistency, not self-criticism.
If that’s you, let's talk.
