Progress Over Perfection: Embracing Growth as an INFJ

Perfectionism has always been a challenge for me. As someone who identifies as an INFJ, I naturally spend a lot of time in my head, analyzing everything before making a move. While this reflective nature has its strengths, it also made me fall into the trap of perfectionism. I used to believe that if something wasn’t done perfectly, it wasn’t worth doing at all.

But over time, I’ve come to see that focusing on progress, not perfection, is what leads to real growth.

The INFJ Struggle with Perfectionism

As INFJs, we often have high standards, both for ourselves and the world around us. We want things to be meaningful, thoughtful, and well-executed. But that same drive for depth and quality can become paralyzing. I found myself delaying projects, second-guessing ideas, and sometimes not even starting things because they didn’t feel perfect enough in my mind.

The fear of not meeting my own impossible standards would keep me stuck. But what I’ve realized is that waiting for perfection usually means waiting forever.

How Stoicism Helped Me Embrace Imperfection

One of the most helpful philosophies I’ve turned to is Stoicism. Stoic teachings emphasize focusing on what’s within our control. This was a game-changer for me. I realized that I can’t control every outcome, but I can control how much effort I put into something. This shift in focus away from the result and onto the process helped me let go of some of the pressure I was putting on myself.

Instead of obsessing over making everything flawless, I started to ask myself, “Did I show up? Did I give my best effort?” That’s what truly matters. Stoicism taught me that while I can’t guarantee a perfect result, I can commit to taking action and learning from it.

Progress, Not Perfection

As I began to focus more on progress rather than perfection, I noticed a huge change in how I approached my goals. I stopped waiting for the perfect moment or the perfect plan, and I just started moving forward, even if it was in small, imperfect steps.

This shift didn’t just help me take more action, it also made the process more enjoyable. I started to appreciate the growth that comes from trial and error, from learning as I go, instead of expecting myself to get everything right the first time.

For INFJs, this can be especially liberating. We often feel pressure to understand everything deeply before acting, but embracing progress over perfection allows us to move forward, even when we don’t have all the answers.

Letting Go of Perfectionism

The truth is, perfectionism can keep us stuck in place. We fear criticism, failure, or not living up to our own expectations. But the more I’ve learned to let go of that need for everything to be flawless, the more I’ve found room for growth.

Each small step forward, each imperfect attempt, brings us closer to our goals. Progress doesn’t mean getting everything right; it means moving forward, learning from mistakes, and continuing to improve.

If you’ve struggled with perfectionism, especially as an INFJ who often craves deep understanding and precision, I encourage you to focus on progress instead. Take that first step, even if it feels messy. Growth happens when we allow ourselves to learn along the way, rather than waiting for the perfect moment to begin.

Conclusion: The Power of Imperfect Steps

Perfectionism might feel like it’s protecting us from failure, but in reality, it often holds us back from ever starting. By embracing progress over perfection, we can free ourselves from that trap and start making real strides toward our goals.

As an INFJ, letting go of perfectionism wasn’t easy, but learning to focus on what I can control, as Stoicism teaches, has helped me find peace in imperfection. Every small, imperfect step is still a step forward, and that’s what leads to growth.

So, if perfectionism has been holding you back, remember: progress is the real goal. Take that first imperfect step, and trust that the process will lead you where you need to go.

“Perfection is the enemy of progress. What matters is that you do the right thing, not that you do it perfectly.” – Marcus Aurelius

Mantra:

“I honor my progress, knowing that each step forward brings me closer to growth.”