Language of Perfection
Have you ever caught yourself saying things like:
“I should be further along by now…”
“I should be working harder…”
“I should be able to handle this on my own…”
I heard a brilliant phrase on a podcast recently that stuck with me:
“Don’t should all over yourself.”
It made me smile. But more importantly, it made me stop and think.
Because here’s the thing…
Should is the language of pressure.
Should is the voice of the perfectionist whispering in your ear.
Should creates a rulebook of expectations that we often didn’t even write ourselves.
And yet, we hold ourselves hostage to it.
The Illusion of Control
Perfectionism is sneaky. It tells us that if we just plan well enough, work hard enough, or control every outcome, we’ll avoid mistakes, criticism, or disappointment.
But perfectionism isn’t the pursuit of excellence.
It’s the fear of falling short.
Should feeds that fear. It sets the bar so high, and so rigid, that we often feel we’re failing before we’ve even begun. Worse still, it keeps us trapped in overthinking, procrastination, and self-doubt.
The truth is, life and business are far messier than that. Things go wrong. Plans change. People make mistakes (even the brilliant ones). Growth isn’t a straight line, and that’s OK.
A Simple Shift That Changes Everything
What if we replaced should with something more helpful?
Instead of “I should do this”, ask:
“Do I want to do this?”
“Does this align with what matters most to me?”
“Will this move me forward in the right direction?”
That slight shift moves you away from guilt and obligation… and towards choice and ownership.
It’s about being intentional, being kind to yourself, and giving yourself permission to be a work in progress. Because we all are.
Progress Over Perfection
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned (and still have to remind myself of regularly!) is that progress beats perfection every time.
Perfect doesn’t exist.
Done is often better than perfect.
And sometimes “good enough” is exactly what’s needed to keep moving forward.
So next time you catch yourself should-ing, pause. Notice it. Then choose a different question.
Because you deserve more than a life ruled by should.
Over to You…
Where are you should-ing all over yourself right now?
What might happen if you let go of that perfectionist pressure and focused on progress instead?
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to share your reflections in the comments.
And if this message resonates with you.
If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or caught in the trap of perfectionism and overthinking, why not book a FREE 30-minute discovery call with me?
It’s a chance to step back, take stock, and explore how I can support you to move forward with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
No pressure. Just a conversation.
Here’s to progress, not perfection.
Have a brilliant week!
Dave Rogers – The Business Explorer