The Myth of Perfection: Why Improvement Should Be Your Goal

We’ve all heard the saying “Practice makes perfect.” But is that really true? Let’s take a closer look at this idea and explore why focusing on improvement, rather than perfection, might be a more realistic and fulfilling approach.

The Limits of Practice

While practice is undoubtedly essential for skill development, it doesn’t guarantee perfection or even extraordinary achievement in every case. Consider these examples:

1. Even the best NBA players miss roughly half their shots.
2. Becoming a professional athlete isn’t achievable for everyone, regardless of practice. There are physical and age-related limitations that practice alone can’t overcome.
3. Even neurosurgeons still practice medicine, despite years of intensive training and their reputation as highly skilled specialists. (Here’s a funny skit about neurosurgeons if you need a laugh).

So, if practice doesn’t make perfect and can’t always help us achieve lofty goals, what’s the point?

The Power of Improvement

The real magic of practice lies in its ability to foster improvement. Let me share a personal story to illustrate this point:

When I decided to run my first 10k race without stopping, I had never even completed a 5k without walking breaks. I started with a “couch to 10k” app, alternating between running and walking. Gradually, I built up my endurance:

• Week 1: Running for 1-2 minutes at a time
• A few weeks later: Running for 5, then 10, then 20, then 30 minutes straight
• 14 weeks in: Completed my first 10k without stopping
• Over a year later: Ran my first half marathon (13.1 miles)

While I’ll never be a professional runner, I’ve significantly improved both my distance and speed through consistent practice.

Setting Realistic Goals: Improvement Over Perfection

If you want to thrive in life and work, aim for growth and improvement at a healthy rate. This approach is far more achievable and sustainable than striving for an elusive perfection.

Some organizations, like Google, encourage setting ambitious goals where even 60-70% achievement is considered a success. This strategy can lead to significant growth, even if you fall short of the original target.

For example, in 2018, I set a goal to run 13 half marathons. I completed 9, which was a huge improvement considering I had never run one before that year. While I didn’t fully achieve my goal, the pursuit led to substantial progress.

The Takeaway: Embrace the Journey of Improvement

Remember:

1. Perfection is rarely, if ever, attainable.
2. Even the most accomplished professionals in various fields are not perfect.
3. Consistent practice leads to improvement, which should be your primary focus.
4. Setting ambitious goals can drive significant growth, even if you don’t fully achieve them.

By shifting your mindset from seeking perfection to embracing improvement, you’ll likely find more satisfaction in your pursuits and celebrate the progress you make along the way. After all, isn’t continuous growth and development what truly matters in the end?