The Power of Messy Moments

As a business owner, have you ever hesitated to start something new because you feared it wouldn’t turn out perfect? Maybe you’ve rewritten the same social media caption ten times or delayed launching your product, waiting for that elusive “perfect” moment. Here’s the truth: messy moments and trial-and-error aren’t roadblocks—they’re stepping stones to growth but overcoming perfectionism in life and business isn't something we're taught in school, so what do we do?
For starters, we acknowledge that the fear of making mistakes often stops us in our tracks, convincing us that perfection is the only path to success. But in reality, some of the most successful entrepreneurs didn’t get there by getting it right the first time. They learned by doing, experimenting, and yes, sometimes failing. Those messy moments taught them more than perfection ever could.
If we haven't met yet, hi, I'm Brittany, a mom, mystery buff, bookworm, and DIY home decor enthusiast. I love finding sustainable strategies to help your business grow into what you've dreamed of. If you're looking for support with your social media, email marketing to podcast, click here to learn how I can help.
In today’s episode, we’re diving into why embracing imperfection is one of the most important steps you can take for your business, and how those messy, trial-and-error moments can be the secret to your success. You can keep reading or listen to the podcast episode using the player below whichever you choose, let’s jump in!
Table of Contents
The Perfectionism Trap
Let me start with a confession: I’m a recovering perfectionist. In the early days of my business, I agonized over every detail. Social media posts had to be flawless, lead magnets meticulously designed, and emails triple-checked for even the tiniest typo. I told myself this level of care was a strength, but in reality, it was holding me back.
Perfectionism in business often shows up disguised as “high standards.” We spend hours crafting the perfect Instagram caption, tweaking email designs, or debating the exact shade of a button on a landing page. While attention to detail is important, perfectionism pushes it to an extreme—over-scrutinizing things that don’t significantly impact results.
And the consequences? They’re more harmful than we realize. Perfectionism slows our progress and delays action. Instead of posting consistently on social media, we post sporadically because we’re “waiting for inspiration.” Instead of sending emails that connect with our audience, we keep them in draft mode because they don’t feel polished enough. Ultimately, perfectionism leads to missed opportunities to connect with your audience and grow your business.
The hard truth is this: trying to make everything perfect doesn’t lead to better results—it leads to fewer results. I let perfectionism hold me back during my first few years in business without even realizing it. But the good news? You don’t have to stay stuck in the perfectionism trap. In the next section, we’ll explore practical ways to let go of perfectionism and start taking meaningful, messy action in your business.
Key Insights on Breaking Free from Perfectionism
Let me be blunt for a minute. Perfection is a myth. Let that sink in. What feels “perfect” to one person may fall short for another. It’s subjective, elusive, and unattainable—a moving target that keeps you running but never reaching. The first step to overcoming perfectionism is embracing this reality and shifting your focus from flawless execution to being real and authentic.
Shift Your Mindset to Embrace Authenticity
The truth? Your audience doesn’t need perfection—they need you to show up as you - mess and all. They want your voice, your ideas, and your perspective, imperfections included. Being authentic builds trust and connection, while chasing perfection often creates a barrier. It took me a long time to realize that “good enough” is often exactly what your audience needs to hear. Here's an example of me demonstrating authenticity in my content, click to read the caption ←.
Take Imperfect Action
The most effective way to beat perfectionism is to act despite it. Post the social media caption, even if it doesn’t feel perfect. Send the email, even if it’s not feel finished. With every imperfect action, you’ll gain clarity, confidence, and momentum. Progress, not perfection, is what creates real growth. Sometimes my most successful social media posts and emails that resonate with my audince are the ones I make on a whim and spend the least amount of time on. The text or transitions might not be perfect but the message and authenticity speaks to my audience so much that the technical aspects matter less.
Balance Quality with Consistency
Let’s be clear: this doesn’t mean throwing quality out the window. It’s about finding a sustainable balance. Show up consistently, even if you think the work isn’t 100% polished. By aiming for quality that aligns with your brand values without sacrificing action, you’ll achieve more meaningful results over time.
When you let go of the need for everything to be “perfect,” you open yourself to growth. You’ll post more, connect more, and—most importantly—learn more. In the next section, we’ll explore how small, messy actions lead to major breakthroughs in business and life. If you're looking for support to be consistent with your social media content look no further than the Social Success Planner.
From Imperfect Beginnings to Sustainable Success: Examples of Overcoming Perfectionism in Real Life
Sometimes, the best way to understand the beauty of imperfection is to compare it to something we’ve all experienced. Let’s dive into two examples—one from life and one from business—that show how letting go of perfection paves the way for progress.
The Fitness Journey
When I first started my fitness journey, I thought success hinged on a flawless routine: eating the perfect diet everyday, following every workout plan to a tee, and never indulging in “off-limits” foods. It didn’t take long for that approach to lead to burnout. Life happens—birthday cake, skipped workouts, pizza Fridays—and I felt like a failure every time I strayed from perfection.
A few months later I stepped on the scale to weigh myself and was shocked to see I had actually lost weight, even with an imperfect diet! Then I realized something game-changing: consistency beats perfection every time. Allowing myself flexibility—like enjoying a cupcake at my kid’s birthday party or skipping a workout to rest—helped me stick with my goals long-term. The same principle applies in business: sustainable and consistent efforts, even if imperfect, yield lasting results.

The "Not-So-Perfect" Lead Magnet
My first lead magnets weren’t perfect. Heck, some of them feel downright subpar (now anyway - I thought they were great at the time). But they were a necessary steps toward improvement. And guess what? Those lead magnets helped grow my email list and taught me invaluable lessons about what my audience wants. Each new version improved because I had the courage to start with something imperfect.
The takeaway? You don’t need to be perfect to make progress. Like a fitness journey or a scrappy first lead magnet, your imperfect actions set the stage for better results down the line.
In the next section, we’ll explore practical tips for embracing imperfection and making consistent progress in your business.
Actionable Takeaways to Focus on Progress Over Perfection
It’s time to take what we’ve learned and put it into practice. These simple yet powerful steps will help you reframe your mindset, connect authentically with your audience, and keep moving forward in your business—even when things feel messy.
1. Reframe Mistakes as Learning Experiences
Mistakes aren’t failures—they’re stepping stones. Each misstep teaches you something invaluable about your audience, your craft, and yourself. Instead of fearing mistakes, welcome them as opportunities to grow. Ask yourself after each attempt: What worked? What didn’t? What can I tweak next time?
2. Embrace Imperfections to Build Genuine Connections
Nobody connects with perfection. Your audience wants to see the real you—flaws, quirks, and all. Sharing your journey authentically, even when it’s imperfect, fosters trust and relatability. The next time you hesitate to post something “not perfect enough,” remember: someone out there needs to hear your message just the way it is.
For me, this looks like showing up in my stories without makeup on, or filming content even if my house isn’t 100% clean. One thing that helped me embrace my imperfections was learning about the 5 types of imposter syndrome, which you can do to by listening to episode 59 of the Go Get Great podcast.
3. Commit to Daily Progress
Small steps lead to big results. Whether it’s publishing a blog post, sending an email, or tweaking a product, focus on showing up consistently. Each action you take—even imperfectly—is a chance to refine and grow. Think of your efforts as building blocks, stacking one on top of the other to create a stronger, more confident business, and the more actions you take, and blocks you add the quicker you'll start to see results in your business.
Let's put these into practise, you can start today! Here are a few suggestions of messy actions you could take today:
Post that draft that’s been sitting in your folder to let your audience see the real you.
Launch that email even if it feels “unpolished.”
Send an Instagram message to someone you'd really like to work with or a follower you think would love your product.
Share an Instagram story of what you're working on today and why you love it (bonus points if you're talking in the story!)
Reach out to a friend or colleague and share the really big idea you have and ask them to hold you accountable to bringing it to life (Psst. that person can totally be me!)
By taking consistent, imperfect action, you’ll be amazed at how far you can go. In the next section, we’ll wrap things up with encouragement and a reminder of why embracing imperfection is your key to success.
My Recommendation to Overcoming Perfectionism in Business: Embrace the Power of Imperfect Action!
Every time you take a step forward—even when it feels awkward, unpolished, or uncertain—you’re moving closer to your goals. Your growth, your connections, and your success all start with those first imperfect efforts.
Let’s leave perfectionism in the rearview mirror. Commit to showing up, trying, and learning as you go. Shift your mindset from “it has to be perfect” to “it has to be done.” There's a reason people say ‘done is better than perfect’. Remember, each small step forward is progress, and every misstep is a lesson in disguise.
Your audience isn’t waiting for perfection—they’re waiting for you. Your authentic voice, your unique perspective, and your willingness to show up even when it’s not flawless are what will resonate with them. The right people will connect with your message, cheer you on, and grow alongside you.
So here’s my challenge: take one messy, bold step today - you can use one of the ideas I shared above or one of your own. Post the thing, launch the offer, share your story—whatever is on your heart. And know that every time you do, you’re building something incredible.
Join me and others like you on this journey of growth and action. Together, we’ll learn, stumble, and celebrate as we go. Follow me on Instagram or tune in to Go Get Great, and let’s make progress together—one perfectly imperfect step at a time.
Go Get Great Episode 74 References
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00:00 Intro
2:30 The power of taking action
4:30 Focusing on quality
5:45 There is no wrong way
8:15 Personal examples of the perfectionism trap
17:45 Reminder: its okay to not be perfect
20:30 Wrap up
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