The Power of Progress: Small Wins Over Perfection
Greely girls hockey team training session.
There’s a powerful difference between progress and perfection, but so many of us get caught up in chasing the “perfect” result. Why is that?
Is perfectionism the true goal, or is it progress?
I used to think that if something wasn’t perfect, it wasn’t worth doing. This mindset led to constant frustration and anxiety because, guess what? Nothing is ever perfect, and perfection doesn't even always equate to success. That "perfect" result often ignores the countless small, necessary steps that get us there.
Let’s talk about progress.
I remember when I started as an athlete and thought I had to be the best from day one. If I didn’t win every game, set every record, or achieve every goal I set out for, I felt like I had failed. But what I didn’t realize was that every practice, every moment of struggle, and every time I fell short, I was still making progress. I was learning. I was building resilience.
Sometimes we get so obsessed with the outcome that we forget the importance of the process. That’s when we get stuck in a cycle of self-doubt, comparing ourselves to the highlights of others, and feeling like we’re not enough.
The truth is, perfectionism doesn’t leave space for growth. It’s a trap. It convinces us that if we’re not doing things flawlessly, we’re not doing them “right.” But progress? Progress is what fuels us. Progress allows us to celebrate the small wins, even when we’re still a long way from the finish line.
Here’s the thing: the small wins matter. They add up over time and create the foundation for the big victories. If you wait for everything to align perfectly, you’ll miss out on all the momentum you can build in the meantime.
It’s easy to forget, but growth doesn’t always look glamorous. It’s messy, full of setbacks and frustrations. But every step forward—no matter how small—is still movement. Progress is what builds confidence, unlocks new opportunities, and moves us closer to our goals, one deliberate action at a time. In fact, some of the most successful people you admire didn’t reach their destinations overnight, and they didn’t do it through perfection. They did it by consistently moving forward, embracing mistakes, and learning from them.
So, how do you shift your mindset?
Embrace the Journey: Recognize that every step forward counts, even when it feels like you're moving slowly. Every bit of effort you put in is building something worthwhile, even if you can’t see the full picture yet. Trust that each small action compounds over time.
Celebrate Small Wins: Whether it’s sticking to your training routine for the week, making it through a tough mental battle, or even just showing up when you didn’t feel like it, those wins are a testament to your progress. Celebrate them, and let them fuel your next step forward.
Let Go of Perfection: Understand that setbacks are just part of the process. They don’t define you; how you respond to them does. Instead of viewing them as failures, shift your perspective and see them as opportunities to learn. Remember, no one’s journey is linear, and perfection doesn’t exist. The real power lies in your ability to keep moving forward despite imperfection.
Cultivate Patience: Progress takes time. The culture of instant gratification we live in makes it easy to believe that if we aren’t seeing immediate results, we’re failing. But patience is a virtue, and the more you practice it, the more you will see how steady, consistent effort leads to growth. Be patient with yourself.
Focus on the Process, Not Just the Outcome: When you focus only on the outcome, you rob yourself of the value of the process. Take time to enjoy the little wins, appreciate the lessons learned along the way, and remind yourself that where you are right now is enough. You don’t have to have everything figured out to make progress.
The key to moving forward isn’t about being perfect; it’s about moving, consistently and intentionally, in the direction of your goals. So, let go of perfection and embrace progress—one step at a time.
Remember: You’re writing your story as you go. Don’t get stuck trying to make it “perfect.” Focus on the progress you’re making every day. Celebrate the small victories—whether it’s a tiny shift in mindset or the consistency you’ve built. And never underestimate how far a small win can take you.
As you move toward your goals, you’ll find that the real value is not in the final destination, but in the person you become along the way. Embrace progress, because it’s the small steps that lead to big changes. Perfection might be a myth, but progress is real—and it’s all you need to create lasting success.