Progress Over Perfection – Why Messy Action Beats Doing Nothing
Waiting for the “perfect time”? Here’s why it never comes
Have you ever waited for the “perfect” time to start a healthy habit?
You tell yourself:
“I’ll start when the kids are back at school.”
“I’ll get serious after the holiday.”
“I just need to be more organised.”
But, in reality, the perfect time doesn’t exist, and chasing perfection is one of the biggest things holding you back.
The All-or-Nothing Trap
So many women I work with have spent years stuck in this mindset:
If I can’t do it perfectly, what’s the point in doing it at all?
But perfection leads to procrastination, and procrastination keeps you stuck.
The real secret to making progress is ‘Messy action’.
Small Steps Create Big Change
One of my clients wanted to overhaul her eating habits, but life kept getting in the way: school runs, work stress, and family demands.
So we ditched the “perfect plan” and focused on one simple thing: making sure she had protein at every meal.
It wasn’t perfect. Sometimes lunch was leftovers, sometimes dinner was on the go.
But it was consistent, and that’s what made the difference. She had more energy, fewer cravings, and for the first time, she stuck with it.
Why Messy Action Works
It gets you out of the “waiting” zone
It builds confidence through small wins
It helps you create new habits without overwhelm
You’re not supposed to get everything right straight away. You just need to get started.
Try This:
This week, give yourself permission to take imperfect action.
Can’t cook from scratch? Add a bag of salad and a tin of beans to a ready meal.
Missed your morning workout? Do five squats while brushing your teeth.
Forgot to meal prep? Pick the best option available, not the perfect one.