Excellence Isn’t Perfection

Hello there. Molweni, Molweni :)

I'm going to need all of us recovering perfectionists to gather on this blog post...😊🙋‍♀️.

We don't talk enough about how limiting, stagnating, and paralyzing constantly striving for perfection really is. We all want to show up as our best selves and for a long time, I thought that meant showing up as my perfect self. I mean... what does that even look like?

I’ve become aware of how I sometimes blur the line between excellence and perfection. It’s subtle. It shows up in the rewrites that go on too long, the hesitation before hitting “send,” the way I replay conversations wondering if I could’ve said something better. I know they’re not the same but in practice, I sometimes lose sight of the difference.

In a recent post, where we discussed how using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) can help you develop smarter work strategies, I highlighted the important connection between your performance and your professional brand. However, building a strong professional brand doesn’t mean striving for perfection because a perfect brand simply doesn’t exist. The line between excellence and perfectionism can easily become blurred, leading us, often without realizing it, to self-sabotage. Let’s put this misconception to rest and free ourselves from the chains of perfection by accepting that not only is perfection nearly impossible to achieve, it simply isn’t real.

Perfectionism often masks itself as high standards, but instead of propelling us forward, it can hold us back. For example, obsessing over minor details can cause missed deadlines, increased stress, and reluctance to share work out of fear it isn’t flawless. This kind of self-sabotage stalls progress and stifles creativity. In contrast, excellence is about consistently delivering quality work while embracing growth and learning from mistakes. Excellence recognizes that progress matters more than perfection, and that “good enough” today can be improved upon tomorrow. By focusing on excellence rather than perfection, we free ourselves to perform at our best without being paralyzed by unrealistic expectations.

Some time ago, I came across the post below on social media and it really stuck with me. The problem with chasing perfection, often to an extreme, is that it can stop you from taking action altogether. You may hesitate to start a project, launch an idea, or share your work simply because you're afraid it won’t be flawless. For example, someone might delay applying for a new role because their CV isn’t “perfect,” or hold back on presenting a proposal at work because it isn’t polished to the highest standard. The fear of falling short or being criticized becomes so strong that it leads to inaction.

But here’s the truth: to get good at anything, you have to be willing to be bad at it first. That’s the price of excellence. Excellence is built through repetition, feedback, and refinement...not instant mastery. Think of a writer who revises the same paragraph ten times, or a presenter who improves each time they practice their pitch. These small, imperfect steps add up over time.

Letting go of the expectation of perfection takes time and a whole lot of grace. It’s not a mindset you can simply switch off; it requires unlearning. What I’ve always found fascinating is how much more harshly we judge ourselves than we do others. We admire people for being excellent, even though we know they aren’t perfect. We give them the benefit of the doubt, allow room for mistakes, and still recognize their value. So why is it so difficult to extend that same compassion to ourselves?

The truth is, there’s no such thing as a perfect life and by extension, no perfect career. The sooner we let go of the illusion of perfection, the sooner we can start showing up more fully. Excellence isn't about being flawless; it’s about being consistent, dependable, and committed to growth. It’s about doing the best you can with what you have, following through, and taking pride in progress. Excellence shows up in your habits and your attitude as well as in your willingness to keep going.

So, the next time you find yourself hesitating, waiting for things to be “just right,” pause and ask yourself: am I chasing perfection, or choosing excellence? One keeps you stuck. The other moves you forward.

Let’s choose progress over perfection and give ourselves the grace to grow.

If you’re like me and on a journey to let go of perfectionism, I’d love to hear what that looks like for you.

Lots of love,

Zizo