The Only Way to Fail is to Stop Trying—And That’s a Choice.
We often think failure happens in a single moment—a missed opportunity, a wrong decision, a path not taken. But more often, failure happens when we stop trying.
And that’s a choice we don’t have to make.
Why Perfectionism Holds Us Back
The same goals that fuel action at the start of the year often need tweaking to stay relevant.
Which is fine, by the way. It’s seamless when you have a coach in your corner to help you pivot.
Agility always beats rigidly sticking to plans that no longer feel quite right.
A constant stream of fresh thinking is why I’m always reading (and writing).
Recently, I dove into Finish by Jon Acuff for a fresh take on why we get stuck—and how we can finally complete what matters most. Acuff’s research found that the most successful people aren’t perfect—they’re persistent.
The trick isn’t doing more.
➜ It’s doing it differently.
3 Ways to Make Progress When It Feels Hard
1. Cut Your Goals in Half
Research shows people are 63% more successful when they reduce their goal by half. Why? Because smaller goals feel achievable, which keeps momentum alive.
➜ Ask yourself: What’s the smallest, most achievable step I can take today?
2. Add Fun to the Process
Perfectionists often make their goals joyless, thinking hard work needs to feel, well—hard. But when you make striving enjoyable, you’re far more likely to stick with it.
➜ Find ways to make progress feel rewarding—whether that’s celebrating milestones, focusing on meaningful moments, or working in environments that energise you.
3. Ditch the “All-or-Nothing” Mindset
Perfectionism thrives on extremes. Acuff calls it the day-after-perfect syndrome—If you miss one day, you quit altogether.
➜ Instead of giving up, be a positive influence on yourself and treat every single day as a fresh start.
Your Turn:
Are your career goals still serving you—or do they need realigning with what truly matters?
Real transformation isn’t about where you are today—it’s about where you’re heading. And you get there by putting progress over perfection.
It’s about choosing to keep moving forward—one small, meaningful step at a time.
