One of the beliefs I adopted early in life was the idea that if you can’t be the best, don’t do it at all. Being perfect meant I was succeeding. It meant I was worthy of praise, especially from my dad. That belief drove me to study hard, work longer than others, and take on tasks only when I knew I could excel. As a woman in what was often a man’s world, I thought this drive was what allowed me to succeed or compete.
But here’s the part I didn’t see: that same belief was keeping me small. It kept me from trying new things. It made curiosity feel risky. It made vulnerability feel like failure.
The pursuit of perfection became overwhelming—not just for me, but for those around me. My standards weren’t just high… they were impossible. This pursuit of perfection may have gotten me to where I am in life – but it is standing in the way of where I wanted to go. And I was not bringing my naturally feminine leadership traits into the workplace. I was hiding my curiosity and vulnerability by I had to know the answers.
Say What?
Perfectionism was stalling my progress. If I couldn’t master something, I’d stop trying. If it didn’t feel effortless, I’d take that as a sign to walk away. I was not growing and expanding with new skills; I was only reinforcing my current skills.
So, recently I asked myself: Who defines “perfect”? Who decides what’s good enough?
It hit me: the standards I was chasing weren’t even mine. They were stories and messages I had absorbed over time—about how as a female leader, I should look, speak, perform, or succeed.
For example, if I couldn’t contribute to new marketing ideas, I’d convince myself I didn’t need to participate in that side of the business. Or if I didn’t fit into a size 6 dress, I’d feel like I had failed… even if I felt confident and strong in a size 10.
Why was I letting “perfect” be the only measure of progress, effort, or success? Why am I limiting myself based on a lack of “perfection?”
So What?
Recently, I’ve been shifting from perfection to excellence. And let me tell you—it’s liberating.
Excellence isn’t about flawless. It’s about being the best version of myself—right now, today. It means contributing with intention, offering value, learning as I go, and knowing that progress counts just as much as the outcome. Excellence is about contributing to my own growth and supporting others in a meaningful and authentic way.
My version of “perfect” was usually far beyond what anyone needed—or even wanted—from me. I was exhausting myself trying to reach 100%, when stopping and sharing at my definition of 80% was already exceeding what was needed to move forward, make progress or succeed.
Perfection drained the joy out of what I was doing. Excellence gives that joy back.
Then What?
Here’s what shifting to a mindset of Excellence has created for me:
Presence: I can be in the moment instead of fixating on what’s missing or how I could do more.
Curiosity: Without the pressure to get it “right,” I can ask questions, explore, try, fail, and learn.
Learning: Letting go of the need to know everything has opened me up to actually learning new things, instead of fearing what I don’t know.
Contribution: I now share my ideas, my work, my voice—even when it’s not perfect. And guess what? It still resonates. It still helps. It still matters.
Joy: Yes—actual joy. Joy in creating, in doing, in growing. Joy that isn’t waiting for everything to be polished and “done.” Joy that shows up right now. Joy in the journey rather than solely in the outcome.
Now What?
Perfection can keep you stuck, quiet, overwhelmed, or exhausted. Maybe it’s time to ask: What would excellence look like instead?
Not perfect. Not flawless. Just the best of you—today. Your voice. Your effort. Your presence. Your impact.
So how do you define excellence for yourself?
Here are a few steps to start:
Redefine Your Success Markers
Ask: If I let go of perfect, what does “success” look like today?
Is it showing up fully to a meeting? Or, is it finishing a task at 80% and sharing it instead of obsessing over tweaks? Or maybe, is it asking a question instead of having all the answers?
What ways could you define done or successful that still feel aligned with your values—without needing to be perfect?
Connect Excellence to Your Values
Perfection is often externally driven. Excellence is values-driven. Ask yourself: What really matters to me? Or how can I show up in my values? Or maybe am I creating from a place of integrity, creativity, curiosity, or service?
Let your values—not someone else’s expectations—set your standard.
Choose a Mantra
Pick a phrase that anchors you back to excellence, not perfection. Maybe it could be “Progress is more powerful than perfection.” Or “Done and shared is better than perfect and hidden.”
Repeat it when the perfection voice starts to take over.
Start Sharing at 80%
This one changed everything for me. I started sending drafts, ideas, and emails before they were “flawless.” Guess what? No one noticed what I thought was the missing 20%. Often, my 80% was already more than what was needed. Try it—test how it feels to share something before it’s “done-done.”
Reflect Weekly on Wins (Not Gaps)
At the end of your week, ask: What did I do well? Where did I show up with excellence—even if it wasn’t perfect? What did I learn from taking imperfect action?
Build a habit of celebrating your wins, not just your flaws. This helps retrain your brain to recognize effort and progress as valid and meaningful.
You Get to Choose
You might be surprised how much more you can offer the world—and yourself—when you give up perfection and embrace the freedom of excellence.
Every time you choose excellence, you choose progress. You choose self-trust. You choose joy. So… what would shift for you if made the mind shift to Excellence and left behind the endless pursuit of Perfection?
Let’s find out—together.