“Practice doesn’t make perfect. Practice reduces the imperfection.”

~ Toba Meta, Master of Stupidity

This quote spoke to me. Maybe because it’s something I need to hear. I’ve been fighting against fear of imperfection lately and it has messed with my personal accountability around the goals I’ve set for myself – especially where these weekly messages are concerned.

So this week, I’m letting go of my need to do it right, (and getting to the root of why that’s a thing for me), by just doing it.

In this blog, I share a couple of confessions around my personal accountability failings, share three ways fear of imperfection may show up for you (as they have for me), and three strategies I’m testing out to get over it.

Watch the video below, or read the transcript that follows, and learn why imperfect action is absolutely perfect.

Can we talk about FEAR OF IMPERFECTION? More importantly, can we talk about how much our NEED to do things perfectly, or right… or even just slightly better than ‘right now’ will entail, messes with our personal accountability to simply get stuff done?

Guilty as charged.

What’s the Problem?

Lately I’ve been the queen of procrastination, with certain aspects of my business, but particularly with my weekly messages.

At the start of the year, I decided that these messages need to be better and stronger…different than they have been. With stronger topics, tighter messaging, a clear focus on keywords and ‘trending topics’ so they boost my SEO.

I decided they need polish… and honestly, I haven’t had time for POLISH… so I’ve procrastinated, made excuses, and ultimately ignored content creation.

So much for personal accountability. Which leads to the question, what does personal accountability have to do with fear of imperfection?

Personal Accountability and Fear of Imperfection

Well, personal accountability is the commitment to take ownership of our actions, decisions, and outcomes—both successes and failures – as we work toward our goals.

It means following through on obligations, admitting when something isn’t working, and trying our best to align daily behavior with our values and goals.

I haven’t been very good at this, especially where these weekly messages are concerned, and I’ve come to realize that my desire to do it ‘right’ has led to not doing it at all.

“I don’t have a solid script. My hair is a mess. My office is too. I look tired. My clothes are wrong, and I don’t feel like changing.
I can’t get my messaging perfect. Heck, Mercury is in retrograde.”

No legitimate reasons, just excuses that feed my fear of imperfection; of not being good enough. Well, this fear of imperfection is wreaking havoc with my personal accountability and derailing progress toward my goals, so I’m trying to understand it better.

Here are three ways it can show up:

1. Procrastination Due to Perfection Paralysis
   You may delay starting or completing tasks because you fear the outcome won’t meet your own very high standards. This “all-or-nothing” mindset inevitably leads to inaction, even when the goal is worthwhile.
2. Avoidance of Feedback or Responsibility
   Fear of being judged or exposed for not doing something perfectly can lead you to dodge accountability check-ins, progress reviews, or collaborative goal-setting—reducing both ownership and momentum.
3. Setting Unrealistic Standards and Burning Out
   ‘Perfectionists’ (I use that term loosely because I’m having trouble admitting I might be one) often set overly ambitious expectations, which makes goals harder to attain. If you inevitably fall short on the goal, self-criticism and disappointment can replace motivation, leading to a drop in follow-through and accountability.

I personally identify with 1 and 3… and here’s what I’m doing about it.

Three strategies to get over fear of imperfection:

First, I’ve shifted from an outcome focus to an effort focus. Instead of obsessing over a perfect result, I’m celebrating consistent (imperfect) effort and progress, which reduces pressure to get things done ‘a certain way’, and makes room for learning through trial and error.

Second, I’m being kinder to myself as I figure this out. Mistakes and setbacks are part of growth NOT evidence of failure (read that sentence again). The low spots in our work and life build emotional resilience and remind us to try again, even after setbacks. I often tell my audiences, “Don’t call it failure, call it research!” so today I’m taking my own advice… and it feels good.

Finally, I’m taking perfectly imperfect action. I’m completing this somewhat impromptu video – come heck or highwater – and detaching from the end result… or rather I’m choosing to believe that whatever I create will be ‘good enough’, and more importantly, uniquely ME. The end result will be imperfect, (my videos usually are) but I hope the message will land. It’s the personal accountability I’m choosing for myself to get over my fear of imperfection.

And really, what’s wrong with imperfection is it kicks us into action?

YOUR TURN.

Where in your work or life are you holding yourself back because you think you need more time to get it right? What first step will you take today, to kick into gear? 

Share in the comments!

Until next time, I’m Michelle Cederberg, reminding you (and myself), that in order to Ignite High Performance you just have to take action. Period. Let’s stop complicating things, shall we?

If you’re interested in learning more about my keynotes and workshops, email me, or check out the downloads below. And, to see where I’m speaking in the next few months… also below. Maybe we can work together if I’m in your city.

Michelle Cederberg, Health and Productivity Expert, MKin, BA Psyc, CEP, CPCC
Hall of Fame Speaker, CSP, Certified Coach & Best-Selling Author

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