I recorded a video of myself in a bonnet

I recorded a video of myself in a bonnet and my best friend DMed me about it. I told her I thought I didn’t need to be perfect and that’s okay. She agreed. We both knew it was an unusual thing for me to do.

My goal wasn’t to perform imperfection to prove a point. This is why I did it: I wanted to take advantage of an opportunity, and I didn’t want imperfection to hinder me. I knew if I stopped to touch up my face and discard my bonnet, I would not record the video.

I’m an editor, and this means I’m always striving for perfection, checking and rechecking to ensure nothing’s escaped my eyes. But I’m not just an editor, I’m also a perfectionist, so nothing’s ever just right. I constantly second-guess myself and question the quality of my efforts.

The real problem with perfectionism is that it’s often accompanied by foolish pride. Pride that tells us we’re better than we are, and that things have to be just so before we can launch out. It’s always “going to do,” “planning on doing,” or “strategizing.” And then it will turn around to criticize those who are courageous enough to step out toward their goal.

I’m not advocating for mediocrity or unpreparedness. By all means, plan and strategize, but please know when perfectionism is getting in the way of your execution.

How do you know when perfectionism has you? You know when your planning lacks a real execution date. If someone asked, “when are you going to do this?” your answer is vague. You really don’t know. You’re out of control, focused on too many details.

Good planning leaves room for imperfections and curveballs. Good planning is iterative—it adjusts to the outcomes of execution.

If perfection is often impossible, why are we so afraid of imperfection?

I think it’s because we don’t want to be vulnerable. We’re afraid of judgement, and we’re afraid that people will see us as we truly are—tired, getting old, losing hair, out of control, plain, inexperienced.

Can some imperfections change? Absolutely. Can some others change? Probably not. For instance, we will age as we get older, and our bodies will tell the signs. It’s inevitable. Yet, it seems we’re all trying to remain forever young. Why?

We’re too mortified by our imperfections to step into authenticity. Yet, when we do, our goals become clearer, our beauty radiates, and our power emerges.

How do we step into authenticity? We stop comparing ourselves to others. We accept that we’re uniquely and wonderfully designed to do what only we can do.

Today, I encourage you to abandon the idea that something or you must be perfect for you to execute. If perfectionism is a mirage widening the distance between us and our goals, execution is the road before us, the road that will get us there.