S8 Ep10: Perfectionism Is Killing Your Progress – Let’s Talk About It
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Welcome back to Your Path to Career Success — the podcast that helps you build the skills, confidence, and strategies to thrive in your career.
In this just over 13-minute episode, we’re diving into a quiet but powerful career blocker: perfectionism. Whether you’re triple-checking every email, endlessly polishing projects, or waiting until you feel “ready” before making your next move, perfectionism isn’t helping you, it’s holding you back.
The truth? Perfection doesn’t create better results. It creates procrastination, missed opportunities, and a constant cycle of self-doubt. In this episode, I will share real stories, practical tips and mindset shifts to help you trade perfection for progress and start showing up with confidence.
🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
• The difference between striving for excellence and getting trapped in perfectionism
• The sneaky signs perfectionism is slowing down your career (even if you’re high-achieving)
• Why “done and imperfect” beats “perfect and unseen” every time
• Five practical strategies to break free from perfectionism and take bold, imperfect action
• How to build momentum and confidence by celebrating progress, not just outcomes
You’ll walk away with tools to set boundaries on your time, practice self-compassion and let go of the myth of “perfect.” Because the reality is this: you don’t need to be flawless to be powerful. You need to be consistent, courageous and willing to take messy action.
So if perfectionism has been stealing your time, energy, and opportunities, this episode is your reminder that progress comes from starting — not from waiting until everything is perfect.
What Next?
Thanks so much for tuning in to Your Path To Career Success — where ambition meets inner clarity.
🦉 Ready to take your career to the next level? Book a free discovery call to explore how my 3-month Unlock Your Career Potential coaching programme or ad-hoc 1-2-1 support can support your growth.
🦉 Found this helpful? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a colleague who might need this reminder.
🦉 You can book 1-2-1 support with me here: https://calendly.com/thecareerowl
🦉 Follow me on LinkedIn for more behind-the-scenes tips, mindset shifts, and leadership insights.
Recommended Resources
To help you go deeper into releasing perfectionism and building momentum:
• Book: The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown — for embracing courage, compassion, and authenticity
• Book: Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done by Jon Acuff — for practical strategies to complete what you start
• Tool: Use time-boxing or a Pomodoro timer to set healthy boundaries on tasks
• Practice: Keep a “progress journal” to capture small daily wins and build confidence
Until next time, aim for progress, not perfection. Keep showing up, take messy action, and trust that it’s all adding up. You’ve got this. 💛
90 episodes