Week 30: Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection
A couple of weeks ago, we explored The Power of Celebrating You!—a reminder of how essential it is to pause and acknowledge your own wins, no matter how small. In my ongoing conversations with clients, colleagues, and loved ones, I’ve seen firsthand how this idea resonates deeply. And yet, so many of us still find ourselves caught in the relentless pursuit of perfection. It’s as though the very idea of progress—steady, imperfect, human progress—is not quite “enough.”
This post is born out of those discussions, where perfectionism keeps people feeling stuck, overwhelmed, and exhausted. So today, I want to offer a new way forward: one where we celebrate the journey and let go of the need to get everything "right."
It’s time to celebrate progress, not perfection—and in doing so, we build the resilience that life demands of us.
The Appeal of Perfectionism
It’s no secret that perfectionism can feel like a driving force. Many of the people I work with tell me that perfectionism makes them feel in control. If they get it all right—every detail, every task, every relationship—then they won’t fail. They won’t disappoint anyone, and they won’t face rejection or judgment.
This desire for perfection often stems from deeply rooted fears. For some, it’s the fear of failure. For others, it’s the pressure to live up to external expectations—whether from parents, bosses, or even social media. I hear these stories time and again: the nagging feeling that perfection is the only option, or else.
Perfectionism, though, is a double-edged sword. While it might push us to achieve, it also holds us captive, turning every task into a source of anxiety. It creates an impossible standard, one that inevitably leaves us feeling like we’re not enough.
Why Letting Go of Perfectionism Is So Hard
Even when we recognize the harm perfectionism does, letting go of it can feel impossible. Over the years, I’ve heard many reasons why my clients and colleagues cling to this mindset. Here are a few of the most common:
Fear of vulnerability: Perfectionism allows us to hide behind a façade of control. To let it go means opening ourselves up to mistakes, criticism, and uncertainty. It requires a level of vulnerability that can feel deeply uncomfortable.
The illusion of safety: Perfectionism makes us believe that if we can just get everything right, we’ll be safe from failure or judgment. But this safety is an illusion—one that often leads to burnout and frustration.
Self-worth tied to achievement: Many of the people I work with have internalized the idea that their worth is directly tied to what they achieve. In this framework, any imperfection feels like a blow to their value as a person. This belief makes it incredibly difficult to stop chasing perfection.
The Case for Celebrating Progress
In these conversations, a common theme emerges: the transformative power of celebrating progress. Whether it’s a patient reflecting on their therapeutic journey, a colleague working through a complex project, or a loved one navigating life’s demands—recognizing progress, rather than demanding perfection, creates room for growth, self-compassion, and resilience.
Progress is where real growth happens. It’s the process of learning, improving, and persisting in the face of setbacks. Celebrating progress acknowledges that each step forward, no matter how small, moves us closer to our goals. It’s in these moments that we begin to release the burden of perfectionism and embrace the reality that being human is a messy, evolving journey.
Why Celebrating Progress Supports Resilience
From a psychological standpoint, celebrating progress isn’t just a feel-good practice—it’s essential for building resilience. Perfectionism, on the other hand, erodes our ability to cope with life’s demands. It sets us up for failure because it’s unattainable. Progress, by contrast, is achievable. It’s where we learn, grow, and thrive.
When you celebrate progress:
You reframe success: Success doesn’t have to mean flawless execution. It can mean showing up, putting in effort, and making steady improvement. This shift in mindset allows for mistakes and growth, which are critical to long-term success and resilience.
You reduce anxiety: Perfectionism creates unnecessary stress by convincing us that mistakes are unacceptable. When you focus on progress, you give yourself permission to make errors, reducing anxiety and fostering a healthier, more productive mindset.
You build sustainable motivation: Perfectionism often leads to burnout because it’s impossible to sustain. Celebrating progress, on the other hand, fuels your motivation by acknowledging each small victory along the way, helping you maintain momentum.
You practice self-compassion: When you celebrate progress, you practice self-compassion. You recognize that you are enough, that your worth isn’t tied to a flawless outcome, and that you deserve kindness in the face of challenges.
How to Start Celebrating Progress
If you’ve spent years chasing perfection, shifting your mindset to celebrate progress may feel unfamiliar, but it’s a crucial step toward healthier living. Here’s how to start:
Acknowledge effort, not just outcomes: Instead of focusing solely on the final result, take a moment to acknowledge the effort you’ve put in. Maybe you didn’t finish the entire project, but you made a lot of progress today—that’s worth celebrating.
Practice gratitude for the journey: Don’t wait until you’ve reached the finish line to celebrate. Along the way, ask yourself: What have I learned? How have I grown? Be grateful for each step forward.
Set small, achievable goals: Break larger tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. As you achieve each one, celebrate it. These small victories build the foundation for greater success.
Give yourself permission to be imperfect: Understand that mistakes are part of the process. By allowing yourself to be imperfect, you free yourself from the impossible burden of perfectionism and open yourself up to growth.
Finally…
The conversations I’ve had with clients, colleagues, and loved ones have taught me this: perfectionism isn’t a measure of your worth or capability. Real success—and real resilience—comes from recognizing your progress.
As you reflect on your own journey, I encourage you to celebrate how far you’ve come. Whether it’s personal growth, career milestones, or overcoming challenges in your relationships, your progress is worthy of celebration. Perfection isn’t the goal—progress is. And by shifting your focus from perfectionism to progress, you’ll find greater peace, fulfillment, and resilience in everything you do.
