{"id":4862,"date":"2025-01-16T14:44:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-16T14:44:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/happyhikersfitness.com\/?p=4862"},"modified":"2025-01-16T14:44:41","modified_gmt":"2025-01-16T14:44:41","slug":"stop-chasing-perfectembracing-messy-progress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/happyhikersfitness.com\/stop-chasing-perfectembracing-messy-progress\/","title":{"rendered":"Stop Chasing Perfect:Embracing Messy Progress"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I ALWAYS think about this\u2026 \u201cPerfection is overrated. Progress is where the magic happens.\u201d I have said this many different ways over the years but I think this is the way I would quote this idea!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I mean listen if any of us get to the point where we are waiting<\/em> for the \u201cperfect\u201d time to start, spoiler alert: It doesn\u2019t exist. January isn\u2019t for waiting around until everything is aligned, perfect, and ready to go. I mean hell look at this January as an example!  It\u2019s for messy beginnings, awkward first steps, and figuring it out as you go. So, let\u2019s ditch perfectionism and focus on progress\u2014because that’s where the real magic happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Messy Progress Works<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think back to when you first learned to ride a bike. The first time you hopped on, you probably wobbled, maybe even fell, and definitely looked a bit ridiculous. But once you finally got the hang of it, you felt the wind in your hair and the freedom that comes with being able to ride smoothly. Or think about the first time you drew a picture or wrote a poem or baked your first cake for that matter.  Were the lines straight, did the word flow like you wanted was the cake flat on top? Probably not because you were starting to learn and moving forward with what you learned to the next level of whatever it was you were doing. RIGHT!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s exactly how progress works. It\u2019s messy at first, often uncomfortable, awkward, and a little clumsy\u2014but eventually, it all clicks. And before you know it, you\u2019re gliding along, doing things you once thought were impossible. I know for me it took forever to draw a straight line (and sometimes it still impossible but I can now do it mostly!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s another real-life example from my own journey: A few years ago, I decided to join a yoga class that was labeled \u201cbeginner.\u201d Sounds easy enough, right? Two minutes into the class, I realized I wasn\u2019t just a beginner, I was super<\/em> beginner and I felt my lip quiver and my eyes fill with tears!. I had zero flexibility (I swear, I couldn\u2019t even touch my toes) and let\u2019s just say the outfit was more awkward<\/em> than stylish <\/em>and I think I even told the instructor at the end I had NO Core and that this would never work! But I kept showing up. Slowly, week by week, I improved, and by the end of that year, I could touch my toes\u2026 barely. Progress, not perfection. That\u2019s what it\u2019s all about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another good example is having no expectations of a final product or something I\u2019m doing because then I am always disappointed.  Sure, I have an idea and an end goal, but I go with the flow.  The best way I could explain this\u2026 stay with me.  You are going to a Barry Manilow Concert (I know I know) and you cannot wait to hear him sing Mandy.  Now the show was amazing, I mean the playlist, the venue, the food while watching.  But the concert hit the end and there was no Mandy to be hear.  So what happens you are so disappointed because you expected to here that one song Mandy that you were just disappointed in the whole thing.  I mean reality is it was a great show, the music was greats as was the food and had you not been expecting that one song you would have left happy\u2026  See what I mean.  We all have this Mandy story just in different ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today is your lucky day I have Your Messy Action Plan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to embrace the mess? Let\u2019s make it simple and fun. Here’s your action plan for getting started:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Pick One Thing You\u2019ve Been Procrastinating On<\/strong>
    Think of something you\u2019ve been putting off, maybe because it seems too big, too complicated, or\u2014let\u2019s be real\u2014because you\u2019re waiting for the \u201cperfect moment.\u201d Maybe it\u2019s a project you\u2019ve been dreaming of starting, a goal you\u2019ve been avoiding, \u00a0a habit you\u2019ve been meaning to form or a painting you have wanted to finish for eons. Whatever it is, it\u2019s time to stop waiting and start now. Pick one thing that you\u2019ll work on the rest of this month.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Do the Smallest Possible Step Today<\/strong>
    These actions do not require big leaps\u2014it requires small, consistent actions. You don\u2019t need to have everything figured out. You don\u2019t even need to have all the answers. Just take the tiniest possible step today. Maybe it\u2019s writing a single sentence for that book you\u2019ve been thinking about. Maybe it\u2019s Googling a yoga class in your area. Whatever it is, make it so small that you can\u2019t talk yourself out of it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Repeat<\/strong>
    The key to messy progress is consistency. The more you show up and take small steps, the more confident you\u2019ll become. And guess what? By the time you look back, you\u2019ll be amazed at how far you\u2019ve come\u2014and how much you\u2019ve learned along the way.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Let 2025 Be the Year You Embrace the Mess\u2014and Make It Yours<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This year, let go of the notion that everything has to be perfect before you start. You can\u2019t control how messy it might get, but you can<\/em> control the actions you take. So, let\u2019s make this the year you embrace imperfection. Because progress is where the magic happens\u2014and you\u2019re already on your way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Are you ready to embrace the mess? Let\u2019s go!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Peace, Happiness and NatureHeals\u00ae<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    check out my websites for more!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    https:\/\/igniteyourlegacylife.podia.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    http:\/\/Happyhikersfitness.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    I ALWAYS think about this\u2026 \u201cPerfection is overrated. 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