Are you chasing perfection or progress

Harish Dixit

Senior Infrastructure Manager – APAC

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Are you chasing perfection or progress?

Picture a butterfly refusing to leave its cocoon because its wings aren’t flawless yet. That’s what perfectionism feels like. It keeps you stuck, grounded and stops you from soaring. Many of us wait for the “perfect” moment, the “perfect” plan, or the “perfect” version of ourselves before we act. But here’s the truth: perfection is a cage, not a goal.

Perfectionism often hides behind good intentions. You want to do your best, avoid mistakes, and impress others. But in trying to do everything flawlessly, you end up doing less or nothing at all. Progress, on the other hand, is about movement. It’s about taking off, even if your wings are a little shaky.

Think of a sparrow. It doesn’t wait for the wind to be just right. It flaps, it stumbles, it learns. That’s how progress works. You don’t need to be perfect to begin. You just need to begin.

Here’s the secret: most of the time, “good enough” is more than enough. That email you’re rewriting for the tenth time? Send it. That project you’re scared to start? Start it. You’ll learn more by doing than by waiting.

Perfectionism also feeds on fear, fear of failure, embarrassment, or not being good enough. But what if failing isn’t the end? What if it’s just part of flying? Every bird falls before it learns to glide. Every mistake is a feather in your wing, not a flaw.

Let’s talk about time. You often spend 80% of your time trying to perfect the last 20% of a task. That’s time you could spend with loved ones, resting, or doing something joyful. Let go of the tiny details that don’t matter. Focus on what does.

Also, don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Your worth isn’t tied to one grade, one job, or one opinion. Let your value come from many places: your kindness, your effort, your relationships, your growth.

And finally, consider stepping away from social media. Constant comparison is like flying through a storm. You don’t need to see everyone else’s highlight reel to know your journey matters. Play a game you’re bad at. Try a new hobby. Let yourself be a beginner. You’ll feel awkward at first. But you’ll also feel free.

Entrepreneur Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, captured this mindset in his book Screw It, Let’s Do It. In it, he shares lessons from his bold, imperfect, and adventurous life. It’s a call to action, to take chances, and to live fully. Even when things aren’t perfect.

So let go of perfect, and let yourself soar.