Striving for Excellence: Breaking Free from the Trap of Perfectionism
Growing up, I was the quintessential “A-student.” Like many of my clients, I thrived on the recognition that came with doing things perfectly. I loved the gold stars, the praise from teachers, and the satisfaction of knowing I got it right.
But what I didn’t realize then was the hidden cost of perfectionism. Striving for perfection felt safe, but it came with constant pressure and a deep fear of failure. I wasn’t just trying to succeed; I was trying to avoid making mistakes entirely.
Here’s the problem: When you avoid failure, you avoid growth.
Perfectionism vs. Excellence
Perfectionism is rigid and fear-driven. It’s fueled by an all-or-nothing mindset: either you succeed flawlessly, or you’ve failed. It doesn’t leave room for mistakes, experimentation, or creativity.
Excellence, on the other hand, is flexible and growth-oriented. It’s about giving your best effort while staying open to learning and improvement. Excellence recognizes that failure is part of the process—not something to fear, but something to embrace.
Why Excellence is More Powerful
Once I started to let go of perfectionism, I discovered the incredible freedom of striving for excellence instead. It gave me permission to take risks, to try new things, and, yes, to fail—because every failure taught me something valuable.
Striving for excellence allowed me to:
Learn from mistakes and grow stronger.
Release the constant fear of “not being enough.”
Find fulfillment in the process, not just the outcome.
A Shift in Mindset
For so many of us, the journey from perfectionism to excellence starts with reframing failure. Instead of seeing it as something to avoid, we can choose to see it as an opportunity to learn.
As I tell my clients: Excellence isn’t about doing it perfectly; it’s about doing it authentically, with heart and intention.
An Invitation to Reflect
What would it look like for you to trade perfectionism for excellence? How would it feel to approach your goals with curiosity instead of fear?
This week, I encourage you to try something new—without the expectation of perfection. Let yourself experiment, make mistakes, and learn from the process.
Here’s to embracing excellence, learning from our mistakes, and living with more joy and fulfillment.
