Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about perfection—or more accurately, how often we use it as an excuse to avoid taking action.
In the last week alone, I’ve had multiple conversations with people who were convinced that procrastinating was the “right move” because they were waiting for the perfect time to start.
- They needed to “get a few things in order” first.
- They wanted to feel more confident.
- They were sure a better time was just around the corner.
I listened, nodded, and smiled—because I’ve told myself the same lies before.
Maybe you have too.
Progress dies waiting for perfection.
We convince ourselves that later will be better than today.
But deep down, we know better.
Perfection rarely exists. And winning—whether in your career, relationships, or fitness—requires you to abandon perfection in favor of progress.
As Ryan Holiday put it in Courage is Calling:
"To procrastinate is to be entitled. It is arrogant. It assumes there will be a later. It assumes you'll have the discipline to get to it later (despite not having the discipline now)."
The reality?
- Book the trip. You’ve been talking about it for years. Stop waiting.
- Start the business. It won’t build itself while you overthink it.
- Apply for the promotion. You don’t have to “feel ready” to take the next step.
The best time to start is always today.
Because today is the only day you actually control.
Stop waiting for perfect. Start stacking progress.