Progress, Not Perfection

You’ve heard the phrase before.
“Progress, not perfection.”

It’s meant to encourage forward motion without the pressure of hitting some huge milestone or being the best.

And it’s a helpful phrase — but only if we let it shape the way we actually approach movement.

A cousin to it is:
Practice, not perfection.

Canva by Andrea

What are we really saying when we choose progress over perfection?

Let’s look at both.

Perfection sounds like:

1. I need to be the best

2. I should always be improving

3. I have to hit a personal best

4. I should be doing more

5. I judge myself if I fall short.

Progress sounds like:

1. I’m using the best form I understand today

2. I increase challenge when I’m ready

3. I rest when I need to

4. I step into effort, not extremes

5. I support myself along the way

That last one — #5 — might be the most critical piece.

Because if I’m chasing perfection, that voice in my head is a scold.

But if I’m practicing progress, I am likely to be kinder to myself.

Perfection tends to push us toward injury, burnout, or quitting.

Because it's built on the idea that whatever we’re doing... it isn’t enough — not because you’re weak, but because the standard is unachievable.

Progress tends to build strength, clarity, and actual results.

Because it meets us where we are and allows us to move forward from there.  It builds trust, resilience, and results — not overnight, but over time.

🪞 A few questions to reflect on:

• What’s your default — perfection or progress?

• How do you speak to yourself when you train?

• What might shift if your voice were just 10% kinder?

💬 Feel free to share your answers. Or just let this sit with you.

Because the truth is, progress is the goal.
And kindness isn’t the reward — it’s the path.