Perfectionism Is Holding You Back

Stuck in planning mode? Perfectionism is the real reason. Let's talk about how to stop overthinking and start taking messy action.

If you’re waiting for perfect… grab a snack. You’ll be here a while. Perfectionism isn’t ambition. It’s anxiety in a productivity costume.

You tell yourself you have “high standards.” That you’re just being thorough. That you’re not ready yet. But let’s be honest, what you’re actually doing is stalling.

You’re obsessing over details no one will notice. Tweaking things to death. Rewriting the sentence for the tenth time. Still not hitting publish. Still not launching. Still not starting. And deep down, you know why.

You’re terrified.

Terrified of judgment. Of doing it “wrong.” Of being seen before you’re polished and perfect and 100% bulletproof. So you don’t move.

Perfectionism doesn’t make you better. It keeps you stuck in an endless loop of overthinking, doubting, tweaking, and never doing.

It convinces you to wait “just a little longer.” To fix “one more thing.” To “get it right” before the world sees it.

Meanwhile, people with less talent and way more courage are out there doing the thing - badly, imperfectly, loudly - and winning.

Because they understand something you don’t (yet): done is better than perfect.

This post will break down what perfectionism really is, why it’s wrecking your progress, and how to break free from its death grip.

Because your goals don’t need perfect. They need action. Let’s go.

What Perfectionism Really Is

Perfectionism gets praised like it’s a personality strength. People wear it like a badge: “I’m just a bit of a perfectionist.” Translation? “I never finish anything because I’m too busy panicking about getting it wrong.”

Let’s clear something up: perfectionism is not about excellence. It’s about fear. Fear of being judged, of making mistakes, and of being seen as anything less than flawless.

It’s not “high standards.” It’s self-doubt dressed in a workaholic outfit.

How It Shows Up in Real Life

Perfectionism doesn’t always look dramatic. Sometimes, it’s subtle. Quiet. Reasonable sounding.

It looks like:

Over-researching and never taking action

Rewriting the same paragraph twelve times

Not launching until your website, bio, offer, and logo are “just right”

Never sharing your work because it’s “not quite ready”

Avoiding feedback because what if it confirms your worst fear—that you’re not good enough?

I used to do all of this. I spent months fine-tuning an online course I never launched. Why? Because in my head, “If it’s not perfect, people will think I’m a fraud.”

Turns out, no one saw it at all - because I never let them.

Why It’s a Problem

Perfectionism doesn’t improve your work. It just delays it. Dilutes it. Sometimes kills it altogether.

It drains your energy with endless overthinking. It keeps your best ideas locked in drafts and notebooks instead of out in the world.

Worst of all? It ties your self-worth to your performance. So if the result isn’t flawless, you take it personally. You see mistakes as proof that you’re a failure.

That’s not healthy. That’s not productive. And it’s definitely not sustainable.

The Truth

Perfectionism isn’t a cute quirk or an admirable trait. It’s a fear-based habit that’s robbing you of progress.

You don’t need to lower your standards. You just need to stop letting them paralyze you. Because perfect doesn’t exist. And chasing it will cost you everything real you could’ve built.

Why Perfectionism Isn’t a Flex (It’s an Excuse)

Let’s be honest - perfectionism gets a little too much credit. People act like it’s a sign of high standards, extreme dedication, or elite-level taste. But here’s the truth: perfectionism isn’t a flex. It’s fear dressed up as ambition.

It’s not making you better. It’s keeping you stuck.

“I Just Want to Do It Right” = Code for “I’m Afraid to Fail”

You say you’re being careful. Intentional. Responsible. But really? You’re terrified of messing it up. You’re afraid of getting it wrong. Afraid people will judge you. Afraid that if it’s not flawless, it’s not worth anything.

Perfectionism tells you it’s all or nothing - either you nail it, or you shouldn’t bother at all. Which sounds noble… until you realize it means you never bother.

Perfectionism Kills Momentum

You don’t move. You don’t try. You don’t finish. You’re always “still working on it.”

So many people with incredible ideas are out here… stuck in Draft Mode. They’ve written the book but won’t hit publish. Or mapped out the business but won’t launch it. They’ve rehearsed the speech but never take the mic.

Why? Because it’s not “ready.” No, and it never will be.

The real damage of perfectionism isn’t what it does to your work - it’s what it does to your confidence.

The longer you wait to finish something, the harder it becomes to believe you ever will. Your trust in yourself erodes. You start associating your goals with stress, pressure, and impossibly high standards.

Eventually, you stop setting goals altogether.

It’s Not Noble. It’s Draining

Perfectionism isn’t helping you win. It’s draining your energy, creativity, and joy. It makes you feel like you’re always behind - even when you’re doing your best. It turns projects into pressure cookers.

You dread starting things because you already feel like you’ll mess them up. You convince yourself you can’t move forward until you have all the answers.

Which is weird, because no one successful ever had all the answers. They just moved anyway.

Perfectionism Is Just Procrastination in a Fancy Outfit

Let’s call it what it is: perfectionism is procrastination that got a makeover. You’re not waiting until it’s right - you’re stalling because you’re scared.

You’d rather not try than try and be judged. You’d rather stay in the planning phase forever than face the vulnerability of showing your work.

It’s safer in the shadows. But your goals don’t live there. They live on the other side of done, of messy, and “that’ll do for now.” That means real-life progress over polished potential.

Perfectionism Isn’t a Personality. It’s a Habit

This part matters: you weren’t born a perfectionist. You learned it. You picked it up from pressure, expectations, past criticism, or maybe even praise that made you afraid to fall short. And now it’s become a way of being.

But habits can change. Mindsets can evolve. You can train yourself to value momentum more than perfection.
You can get comfortable with messy drafts and B+ effort if it means you actually finish something.

Because Done opens doors. Perfect just stays inside.

It's Ok to Not Be Perfect

Perfectionism isn’t making you excellent. It’s making you exhausted. You don’t need perfect work. You need work that exists. It doesn't need to be flawless. You just need to be willing.

Let go of the polished fantasy. Embrace the messy reality. Because no one’s impressed by your perfect intentions. They’re inspired by your imperfect action.

How to Let Go of Perfectionism and Make Real Progress

Here’s the truth: perfectionism won’t go quietly. It won’t just pack a bag and disappear the minute you realize it’s a problem.

It will scream, bargain, and tell you you’re just being responsible. But it’s lying. Again.

Letting go of perfectionism doesn’t mean lowering your standards. It means shifting your focus - from obsessing over how things look… to actually getting things done.

Here’s how to finally stop letting perfectionism run the show.

1. Embrace “Done Is Better Than Perfect” (Yes, Really)

This phrase used to make my roll my eyes. I thought it was a cop-out. A way for lazy people to excuse half-hearted work.

But then I saw something wild - those “lazy” people? They were finishing things. While I was still over here editing the first paragraph of my ebook for the fifth week in a row.

Done is not sloppy. Done is brave.

It means you cared more about sharing your work than sheltering your ego. It means you let the thing live, grow, and evolve - rather than keeping it hostage in your Google Drive forever.

You can always make something better later. But you can’t improve what doesn’t exist.

2. Focus on Progress, Not Perfection

Perfectionism wants you to leap from zero to expert. From idea to masterpiece. From draft to Oprah’s Book Club Pick.

Progress says, “Let’s just do the next right thing.” Let’s move forward. Even a little. Even clumsily.

Progress builds momentum. It gives you data, feedback, confidence. Perfection gives you… more reasons to delay.

You don’t need to be great to start. But you do need to start to be great.

3. Set Process Goals (Not Just Outcome Goals)

If your only goal is “launch the perfect thing,” congratulations - you’ve just set a trap.

Instead, set goals you can control:

Show up daily

Write for 30 minutes

Publish once a week

This shifts the focus from looking flawless to actually doing the work. And let me tell you - nothing builds confidence faster than consistent effort.

Perfectionists wait until it feels right. Progress-makers show up even when it feels messy.

4. Use Deadlines to End the Endless Fixing

Give a perfectionist unlimited time and they’ll edit until the sun explodes. So don’t do that.

Instead, set a deadline. And honor it. Decide in advance when the project is done. Then stick to that decision, even if your brain screams, “Just one more tweak!”

Time limits force clarity. They push you to make bold decisions instead of hiding in “just a bit more research.”

Remember: you can’t keep making everything better if you never finish the first thing.

5. Celebrate Imperfect Wins

You want to rewire your brain? Start celebrating progress. Not just the shiny “success” moments - but the messy, brave, uncomfortable steps.

Sharing your first post - even if it flopped. Launching your offer - even if no one bought. Saying yes to something before you felt “ready”.

Every imperfect win is proof that you moved. And movement is what builds trust in yourself.

You don’t become confident by waiting until you’re flawless. You become confident by acting while still unsure - and realizing you didn’t die.

6. Talk to Yourself Like You’re a Work-in-Progress (Because You Are)

Perfectionists talk to themselves like disappointed managers. Nothing’s ever good enough. Every effort gets picked apart.

Try this instead: talk to yourself like someone who’s trying. Someone learning. Someone brave enough to care about doing good work - even if it’s not perfect yet.

You’re not a project. You’re a person. And people need kindness to grow. Not constant criticism.

Perfectionism isn’t discipline. It’s delay.

It’s the most polished form of procrastination you’ll ever meet. But it doesn’t have to run your life.

Start small. Set a deadline. Ship the thing. Then do it again - with a little less pressure and a little more trust.

Because your dream doesn’t need to be perfect. It needs to be in progress.

Something To Think About

Perfectionism promises safety - but it delivers stagnation. It tells you to wait until you’re ready. Until it’s perfect. Until every little detail is polished beyond reproach.

But that version of “ready” never comes. It’s a moving target designed to keep you from ever putting yourself out there.

So ask yourself:
What have you not started because it’s “not perfect yet”?
What ideas are collecting dust because you’re afraid they won’t be good enough?
How much longer are you willing to let fear wear a perfectionist mask and call the shots?

You don’t need to earn permission to begin. You don’t need a flawless plan, aesthetic branding, or twelve more tweaks. You need a first draft. A messy launch. A shaky beginning.

Because progress doesn’t come from perfection. It comes from movement.

What if your next chapter started today - not perfectly, but intentionally? What if “good enough” was actually better than waiting another month, year, or decade for “perfect”?

Let this be your permission slip to move. Publish the thing. Start the business. Launch the project. Record the video.

And then improve as you go - like every successful person you’ve ever admired.

Your goals don’t need the perfect version of you. They need the version that’s brave enough to show up now.

Imperfect. Unpolished. In progress. Exactly how it’s supposed to be.

This post was all about perfectionism holding you back.