A Perfectionist’s Thoughts on Progress Over Perfection

“I’m going all in.” “This time I will do it right.” It’s all or nothing.” “If I’m not doing it right, what’s the point?”

Do any of these sound like something you’ve said to yourself? I know I have. Diets, exercise, jobs, you name it. Ladies and gentlemen, I am a recovering perfectionist.

If I was going to do something, man I was going to do it RIGHT! No dipping your toes in the water, jump right in. But, nothing ever really stuck. I’d be all in for a few weeks, maybe a month, but then I was counting down the days until the challenge was over or I’d just completely go back to what I was doing before. But where does that get you, really? Once you go back to what you were doing before, any results wane.

Perfectionism can cause overwhelm and lead to giving up. Those thoughts of what’s the point of doing this if I’m not doing it “right?” can really get to you. But, what if there was a better way? What if we chose to make progress, rather than be perfect?

What if we stopped telling ourselves we have to be “perfect”? What does perfect even mean? And by who’s standards?

What if we told ourselves to add in a serving of veggies every day as opposed to changing our whole diet in one day? What if we added in 15 minutes of movement a week, rather than commit to 6 days a week of 1-hour sessions? What if you consistently achieved this progress for the rest of your life? Even if nothing else ever changed, you are still better for it. You have still made progress.

Chances are, you wouldn’t stop there. I’ve seen it time and time again with my clients, and in myself. Once 15 minutes of movement feels easy it turn into 20, 30…more days a week are added in. One serving of veggies turns into 2, 3, better protein choices, etc.. Small consistent progress snowballs into something bigger! Bigger, but not forced. A natural progression that feels sustainable.

Notice how I haven’t said anything about taking anything away? Focus on adding the good stuff in, not taking “bad” stuff away. Not only is it better on the mindset it creates an easier goal to acheive. You’re not depriving yourself of anything.

What is your goal? Now tell me ONE small very actionable and doable thing you can add in tomorrow to help get you there. Once you have it in mind, ask yourself: On a scale from 1–10 how confident am I that I can do this every day without falter?

If you answered lower than a 9, choose another action.

Once you have your action, I’d love to hear it! If you’re having trouble figuring it out please reach out on Facebook, and Instagram or e-mail me at kerri@gracefitnessandnutrition.com.

Stay strong, stay beautiful,

Coach Kerri

http://www.gracefitnessandnutrition.com

kerri@gracefitnessandnutrition.com

(401) 680–0330