Perfection Nearly Broke Me. Progress brought me back to life.

Woman sitting on a doorstep reading a book, surrounded by plants and books, in a peaceful, sunlit setting that conveys tranquility and personal time.

I no longer expect perfection out of myself—I just expect progress. When Brendon Burchard said this during one of his Daily Fire talks, it hit me like a lightning bolt.

Perfection is a setup for failure. We all say we know this, but do we truly internalize it? Perfection is a moving target, an illusion that shifts just as you think you’re close to reaching it. And yet, so many of us—especially mothers—still find ourselves chasing it, often without realizing it.

The reason? Perfection sneaks into every part of our lives. It’s there when we question if we’re doing enough for our kids, when we wonder if our marriages should feel easier, or when we look in the mirror and feel like we should be more—more patient, more fit, more productive. And when we feel stuck, stagnant, or overwhelmed, perfection is often the silent culprit pulling the strings behind the scenes.

The Fine Line Between Perfection and Standards

There’s an important distinction between striving for perfection and setting high standards. The former leaves you exhausted and disheartened; the latter can be a source of motivation. The key is to ask yourself: Am I holding myself to this because I genuinely want to, or am I chasing an ideal that doesn’t actually exist?

Progress, on the other hand, is real. It’s tangible. It’s about moving forward—even if just by an inch. But let’s be honest: achieving personal progress in motherhood is a unique challenge. Our instinct as caretakers is to make sure everyone else is thriving first, often leaving ourselves as an afterthought. Even when we do the internal work and recognize that caring for ourselves allows us to show up better for our families, progress can still feel like an uphill battle.

Busy kitchen scene with a mother multitasking; she's looking at her phone while toddlers make a mess with kitchen items all over the floor.

The Reality of Progress for Mothers

Being a stay-at-home or work-from-home mom means that no matter how many plans you make or how much you organize your life, the unexpected can (and will) happen. A sick child. A call from school. A burst pipe in the kitchen. One disruption can throw an entire day—or week—off track. And when these challenges come in waves, it’s easy to feel like you’re constantly falling behind.

This is why awareness around the chase for perfection is so crucial. Because when setbacks happen—and they will—it’s easier to recover if your goal is progress, not flawlessness. If you’re measuring success by whether today is just a little bit better than yesterday, rather than whether you met some unattainable ideal, you can bounce back faster.

Overwhelmed mother sitting on the floor amid a chaotic living room strewn with toys, looking directly at the viewer with a stressed expression.

A New Strategy for Growth in Motherhood

Most personal growth strategies weren’t designed for mothers. They assume uninterrupted schedules, predictable routines, and the ability to prioritize personal goals without constant interruptions. That’s not our reality. And that used to frustrate me to no end—until I realized that the solution wasn’t to force myself into a structure that didn’t fit, but to reshape personal growth into something that felt relatable, attainable, and—most importantly—realistic.

So, what does this look like? It means embracing flexible progress. It means setting goals that allow for life’s unpredictability. It means celebrating small wins—because in motherhood, small wins are the foundation of big transformations. It means knowing that progress isn’t always linear, and sometimes moving forward looks like simply holding steady.

Most of all, it means freeing ourselves from the invisible chains of perfection so we can thrive—not just in our roles as mothers, but as the unique, passionate, and powerful individuals we are.

Because the goal isn’t to be perfect. It’s to be better than yesterday. And that is more than enough.

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Embracing the Journey

Reclaiming our identity beyond motherhood doesn't mean diminishing the value of our role as mothers. Instead, it signiﬁes a commitment to becoming more whole, content, and engaged individuals, capable of embracing the challenges of motherhood with renewed vigor and perspective.

This expedition is not just about self-discovery; it's about modeling a life of balance, fulﬁllment, and resilience for our children. By nurturing our own identities, we teach our children the importance of self-care, personal growth, and the pursuit of individual passions.

Ready to take your next step?

If this message resonates with you, you're not alone. At Destination Thrive, we’re creating a community where moms like you can grow, connect, and thrive—without the pressure of perfection. Join us for expert-led workshops, meet-ups, and a supportive network that understands the realities of motherhood.

Start your journey today. Visit www.destination-thrive.com and follow us on Instagram @destination.thrive to connect, learn, and grow with a like-minded community of moms!

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