Progress Over Perfection: The System That Keeps You Moving Forward
Scott Miker
It’s tempting to aim for perfection in everything we do. We want the perfect job, the perfect fitness routine, the perfect life. But this obsession with perfection often stops us from making any real progress. We get stuck planning, tweaking, and hesitating, waiting for the “perfect moment” to take action.
The truth is, perfection is a myth. Life isn’t a straight line, and success isn’t about flawlessly executing a master plan. It’s about consistent progress—small, steady steps that move you closer to your goals. And the best way to make progress is to create systems that work for you.
Why Perfection Fails, but Systems Succeed
Perfection focuses on outcomes. It demands that every action produces immediate, flawless results. But real life doesn’t work like that. There are too many variables beyond our control, and waiting for perfection often leads to inaction.
Systems, on the other hand, focus on process. They prioritize consistency over precision and action over analysis. With a good system, you don’t need to be perfect—you just need to show up and work the process.
For example:
Instead of aiming for the “perfect workout plan,” create a system where you exercise three times a week, even if it’s just a 10-minute walk.
Instead of trying to write a perfect book in one sitting, build a system where you write 300 words a day. Some days they’ll be great; other days, not so much. But the words will add up.
Breaking It Down: A Simple System for Progress
Here’s how you can apply systems thinking to replace perfectionism with progress:
1. Start Small
Perfectionism often sets an unreasonably high bar. Systems thinking flips this by encouraging small, manageable steps. If your goal is to get healthier, don’t aim for a complete lifestyle overhaul. Start by drinking one extra glass of water a day or taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
Small steps might not seem like much, but they’re the foundation of long-term success. They’re easy to do, easy to repeat, and they build momentum over time.
2. Focus on Repeatable Actions
A system is only effective if it’s repeatable. Think about habits you can do consistently, not just when you feel motivated. Instead of relying on inspiration, rely on routine. For instance:
Set aside 15 minutes every morning to work on a project you’ve been procrastinating on.
Commit to one weekly family dinner to strengthen relationships, even if it’s takeout.
Consistency compounds. When you stick to repeatable actions, progress becomes automatic.
3. Measure Progress, Not Perfection
A good system measures progress in ways that motivate you to keep going. Instead of focusing on a distant, “perfect” result, track your small wins. These wins show that your system is working.
For example:
If you’re saving money, track how much you’ve saved each week, even if it’s just $10.
If you’re building a new habit, mark each day you stick with it on a calendar.
Seeing progress keeps you moving forward, even when perfection feels out of reach.
Why Progress Beats Perfection Every Time
Here’s the thing: progress isn’t linear. You’ll have days when your efforts fall short, when you feel like you’re moving backward instead of forward. But with a system, those bad days don’t derail you. They’re just part of the process.
Remember, success isn’t about never failing—it’s about failing and still moving forward. Systems give you a structure to keep going, no matter how imperfect the journey feels.
As Wayne Dyer said, “Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change.” When you shift your focus from perfection to progress, everything changes. You stop worrying about being perfect, and you start seeing the value in every step you take.
The Power of Systems Thinking
When you build systems, you create a framework that works in any condition—good days, bad days, and everything in between. Systems simplify the path to your goals by breaking them down into manageable, repeatable actions. They eliminate the overwhelm that perfectionism creates.
So, the next time you find yourself waiting for the perfect moment or trying to get every detail just right, stop and ask yourself: What’s one small step I can take right now? Then, build a system to repeat that step consistently. Over time, those small steps will lead to big results.
Progress isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about showing up, doing the work, and trusting the system to carry you forward.
For more insight into progress over perfection, check out Rory Vaden and his book, Take the Stairs. He does a great job providing wisdom around this to help us avoid perfection and continue making progress towards our goals.