I signed up for my first marathon when the farthest I had ever run was five miles.
I was terrified. Not just of the distance — but of failing. And because I was afraid of failing, I did everything I thought I was supposed to do. I found a friend to sign up with me. I dug through a running magazine (it was 2008) to find a training plan. I talked to everyone I knew for coaching tips and running advice.
Then, one by one, my perfect plan started falling apart.
If you’ve ever had a goal but felt like you didn’t make any progress, then perhaps this is the post for you. I share how perfectionism is the enemy of progress.
Perfectionism Is the Enemy of Progress (And My First Marathon Proved It)
When the “Perfect” Plan Falls Apart
My friend missed the sign-up deadline. Just like that, I was on my own.
I was a junior at the Air Force Academy at the time — taking classes, playing on the lacrosse team, navigating all the structure and demands that come with being a cadet. I was six months out from race day, training over summer break, and the excuses were endless: football game requirements, schedule conflicts, no training partner.
I joined a local running club to stay accountable. And when I showed up the first time, I immediately felt like I didn’t belong. Everyone was faster. Everyone could run farther. Everyone seemed to already have a “base.”
I genuinely didn’t know if I was even a runner.
That moment could have been the end. A lot of people would have quit there. But instead, I made a simple decision: I’m just going to train this week. Then I’ll train next week.
Consistency Over Perfection, Every Time
Winston Churchill said it best: “Perfectionism is the enemy of progress.”
I didn’t know that quote at the time, but I learned it the hard way through every missed training run, every shortened workout, every week that didn’t go according to plan.
There were plenty of sessions where my training plan said “run 30 minutes with a fartlek” and all I had was 20 minutes for a fast run. I could have skipped it entirely because it wasn’t perfect. Instead, I showed up and did what I could. And showing up imperfectly, over and over again, turned out to be everything.
To stay accountable and build my mileage gradually, I registered for a 10-miler, then a half marathon — milestone races to keep me moving toward the goal. Not because everything was going according to plan. But because I kept going anyway.
My diet wasn’t perfect. My sleep wasn’t great. My training had gaps. And on race day, I ran 26.2 miles and crossed the finish line. (On a side note, I went on to improve my time and ran 2 more full marathons and at least 4 official 1/2 marathons not including training!)
What This Actually Has to Do With You
I don’t coach runners. But I see this same pattern play out constantly in my clients’ lives.
The conditions are never perfect. You’re never fully ready. And waiting until you are is exactly what keeps you stuck.
In coaching, “training for the marathon” looks more like this:
- Having one hard conversation this week instead of waiting until you feel ready
- Making one financially aligned decision instead of waiting until you have more information
- Taking one uncomfortable step toward the identity you want, even if it feels premature
- Showing up imperfectly instead of waiting until you feel confident
Here’s the truth: you don’t become capable by feeling confident first. You become capable by practicing consistency under imperfect conditions.
The finish line isn’t reached because everything goes right. It’s reached because you keep going when it doesn’t. This has a lot to do with strong habits and rhythms that support your life.
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The Real Lesson
You don’t need perfect conditions to accomplish something hard. You need consistent action.
Stop waiting for the right time, the right circumstances, or the right version of yourself. That version isn’t coming. But the finish line? That’s still there — and it’s waiting for the you who showed up anyway.
Ready to stop waiting for perfect and start making progress? Read more about how to work with me.
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