What if we told you it’s better to start imperfectly now than wait until you feel ready? Goal setting and planning are beneficial, but you may get stuck in the “contemplation” phase and fear the “action” phase. You are certainly not alone. If you are in the very beginning stage of wanting to create change or reach a goal, read our blog article here on How to set goals that you can reach. If you’ve been planning for quite some time to begin working towards a goal but haven’t taken action yet, this post is for you! Below are 3 reasons Imperfect action is better than no action at all.
- Excessive planning can be used as a crutch.
It’s always good to have a plan, it helps you be prepared and have a clear path towards your goals. Planning makes you feel good and in control! The sense of comfort you get from planning can also be the very reason it can become a crutch. It’s human nature to feel comforted by the familiar and be wary of change, even if that change is healthy. By excessively planning, you can FEEL like you’re making a change without actually changing any of your daily habits or routine. This can look like buying a gym membership, blocking time off your calendar to work out, or telling yourself you’ll start Monday when you have more energy. All while avoiding going to the gym or spending time moving your body. The truth is there will always be things that get in the way of your plans or goals. Those things are the ebb and flow of life that are better to be worked with than avoided. This means not trying to plan every single move and waiting for the perfect time, but instead just starting now and trusting your ability to persevere during the inevitable obstacles, even the ones you can’t preplan and prepare for! Some lessons you can only learn from experience. Our coaches at Telespine help you build self-efficacy so you can trust yourself and your abilities to perform behaviors that bring you closer to your goals.
2. Striving for perfection can be holding you back.
Do you find yourself attaching your self-worth to the desired outcome? When you attach your self-worth to a specific outcome, you may become intimidated by the fact if you don’t perform exactly how you want to and achieve exactly what you were aiming for, you failed. And feeling like you failed does not feel good. The truth is, perfection is an illusion! Imperfect action is better than no action at all. Even if you show up imperfectly day in and day out, you will still be further ahead than where you were at the beginning. Progress is progress, no matter how big or small. Lifestyle changes require an understanding that perfection is not the goal, but perseverance and dedication are.
3. Consistency builds momentum.
Not many people wake up one day as an expert in their field or a professional athlete. They consistently show up for themselves and their goals, week after week. The more they consistently work towards their goals, the more momentum they build in their weekly routine, and the further ahead they become. It’s the same for you. The more you consistently do something, whether it’s going to the gym or making home-cooked meals, the more momentum you build. The more momentum you build, the more results you see, making you more likely to stick to your behaviors that brought you to this point! To get to this point, you just have to start, right now, with what you have.
If you’re ready to improve pain, build healthy lifestyle habits, and improve your overall wellbeing, contact Telespine today!