Let’s Shift Your Focus From Perfection to “Progress
I have big, audacious, and arguably unreasonable goals, many of which might be too perfect ever to be realized. That has always been the case, and while it produces a sense of accomplishment, it also leaves me feeling a bit empty. As though it was never enough to meet that “perfect” idea I had in mind.
But now, at the end of the day, my main goal is to be and do a little better than the day before. I really appreciate how Dean Graziosi relentlessly promotes a “culture of progress”, not perfection.
Dean’s enthusiasm for pushing us all forward, picking us up when we fall, and focusing on incremental improvements have profoundly affected my mindset.
Fostering a culture of progress means creating an environment where people are motivated to improve and learn new things continuously. This can involve setting clear goals and expectations, encouraging innovation and risk-taking, and providing resources and support for personal and professional growth. Promoting a culture of progress is essential for personal and professional reasons.
Here are a few:
Improved morale and satisfaction: Promoting a culture of progress is essential because it helps to create a positive and forward-thinking environment in which people can thrive and succeed. When people feel like they are making progress and moving forward, they are more likely to feel motivated and engaged. They are more likely to feel satisfied and fulfilled in their work.
Greater adaptability and resilience: A culture of progress encourages people to embrace change and continuous learning. This can help organizations adapt to new challenges and opportunities and be more resilient in the face of setbacks. This leads to a more positive work culture overall.
Stronger performance and productivity: When people feel like they are making progress, they are more motivated and engaged in their work. This can lead to higher levels of performance and productivity. A culture of progress also involves valuing diversity and inclusion, as different perspectives and experiences can lead to new ideas and solutions. A culture of progress is essential for organizations to remain competitive and adapt to changing circumstances.
More team collaboration: When people feel like they are part of a team working towards a common goal and making progress, they are more likely to feel a sense of belonging and satisfaction with their work. This can lead to increased job satisfaction and employee retention
Increased creativity and innovation: A culture of progress fosters a climate of continuous learning and improvement. This can create an environment where people feel comfortable taking risks and trying new ideas, leading to greater innovation. People are encouraged to think outside the box and develop new ideas and solutions to problems. This can lead to the development of new products or services and can help a company stay competitive in its industry.
In short, promoting a culture of progress can lead to many positive outcomes for individuals and organizations, including improved performance, innovation, morale, and overall adaptability.
New Year’s resolutions come with lots of pressure to be perfect. To suddenly go from a couch potato to crushing it at 5 am every day in the gym.
I encourage you to look at the big macro picture, strive for progress, not perfection, and keep going even if you’ve already given up on your resolution. Just start again. Cheers to you, and Happy New Year!
About Akshay Ramanathan
Want to talk to someone about your job or career? Book a free call. I am here to listen.
With 10+ years of experience as a career coach, resume writer, and corporate professional, I know firsthand the confusion and challenges both ambitious students and purpose-driven professionals face when building a career that is engaging and meaningful. I have successfully overcome these problems myself and helped others do the same.
Click here to book a call and learn how I’d like to help you take your career to the next level!
