Embrace Progress: The Antidote to Perfectionism

Caroline Esterson
Aug 16
2 min read

A notepad with "progress not perfection' written.

Introduction

In a world obsessed with perfection, Caroline Esterson's latest episode of "Little Moves at Big Careers" offers a refreshing perspective. Imagine a world where progress, not perfection, is the ultimate goal. Caroline, alongside guest Chris Mooney, unravels the myth of perfectionism and its impact on our careers. Ready to break free from the perfection trap? Let's dive in!

The Perfectionism Trap

Caroline kicks off the episode by challenging the notion that perfection is attainable. "Perfectionism is a prison made of highlighters and high standards," she asserts. This episode is a wake-up call for those stuck in the cycle of endless tweaking and second-guessing. Chris Mooney, a career strategist, joins the conversation, emphasising that "practice makes progress, not perfect."

Real-Life Scenarios

Through engaging scenarios, Caroline illustrates how perfectionism paralyses us. Whether it's reworking a presentation for weeks or hesitating to share an idea, the fear of imperfection holds us back. Caroline encourages listeners to ask, "Am I improving this, or just trying not to get it wrong?" This simple question can unlock career momentum and foster a growth mindset.

The Power of Progress

The episode highlights the importance of embracing progress over perfection. Caroline and Chris share actionable strategies to boost career growth by taking small, bold steps. "Progress isn't neat. It's brave. It's messy," Caroline reminds us. By focusing on progress, we can build confidence and resilience, paving the way for success.

The Goldilocks Effect

Let me be clear, when I say 'messy' I don't mean sloppy. We talk about “just do it”… but what we really mean is: Do it well enough to be proud AND still get it out the door.

Too many people live at the extremes:

The Sloppy Zone - rushing something out you wouldn’t even want your nan to see.

The Perfectionism Quicksand - tweaking so long you miss your moment.

A graph showing the goldilocks effect — The Goldilocks Effect

But the magic is to find your Goldilocks Zone → That sweet spot where you can answer:

“Is this my best work right now?”

If yes, then go for it.

If not, then fix it.

Because done beats perfect, but proud beats done.

Conclusion

As Caroline wraps up the episode, she leaves us with a powerful call to action: "Make the move, even if it's tiny." This episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to break free from the perfectionism trap and embrace a more fulfilling career journey.