Why You Need To Be Doing Things Wrong
In the pursuit of fitness or any new skill, many of us fall into the trap of thinking we need to be perfect from the start. We assume that success comes from getting everything right: the perfect form, the ideal routine, and no mistakes along the way. But the reality is, growth happens through mistakes, setbacks, and imperfections. In fact, you’re not going to get to where you want to go by being perfect. Instead, it’s about doing things wrong, learning from them, and improving over time.
The Trap of Perfection: Why Waiting for "Perfect" Stops You
One of the biggest traps is the belief that you need everything to be perfect before you start. This could look like waiting until you have the right gear, the right knowledge, or the perfect plan. But the truth is, waiting for perfection delays your progress. You don’t need to have everything figured out to take the first step. In fact, starting imperfectly is often the best way to learn.
Whether you’re working out, or mastering the piano, you’ll never improve without making mistakes. A child doesn’t learn to speak or walk without stumbling—neither will you. So, give yourself permission to be imperfect. Every failure is one lesson wiser and one step closer to your goal.
Doing Things Wrong: The Hidden Benefit
When you make a mistake in your workout or any skill development, whether it's poor form or overestimating your abilities, you’re learning something valuable. You might not get it right the first time, but each misstep helps you refine your technique and build your skills. Just like a child who falls repeatedly as they learn to walk, you’ll stumble, but each attempt builds a stronger foundation.
The real magic comes when you stop judging yourself for your mistakes. The willingness to be "foolish"—to try something new without expecting perfection—frees you to learn, adapt, and ultimately improve.
As the Stoic philosopher Epictetus once said, “…And most of all, you must be willing to appear foolish in order to achieve your goals.” This echoes the idea that to grow, you must be willing to put aside your ego, make mistakes, and embrace the possibility of looking foolish along the way. It’s a necessary part of learning, and there’s no shame in it.
The Trap of Needing to Look or Feel "Good": The Fear of Foolishness
A major hurdle to progress is the fear of looking or feeling foolish. You might worry about failing in front of others, or even failing in private because it can feel uncomfortable. This fear can keep you from starting at all. But this is another trap—avoiding mistakes for the sake of your ego or sense of dignity holds you back.
Think about it: everyone starts somewhere. Even the most skilled athletes or experts you admire didn’t begin as perfectionists. They were once beginners who made mistakes, felt foolish, and failed forward. But each of those experiences shaped their growth. So, allow yourself to make mistakes, to feel foolish, and to embrace those moments as part of the process.
Do the Best You Can Until You Can Do Better
Instead of focusing on doing everything perfectly, focus on doing the best you can with what you have, where you are. Progress isn’t about perfection; it’s about consistent effort. Maybe you won’t lift the heaviest weight today or run the fastest mile, but if you keep doing your best, you’ll improve over time. Just like the child who practices speech daily or the beginner athlete who improves with each workout, you’ll get stronger, smarter, and more capable with each attempt.
When you can do better, you’ll know it—and that’s when you level up. But don’t wait for that moment to start. The important thing is to begin, imperfect as it may seem.
The Power of Smaller Goals in Exercise and Skill Building
Setting big, lofty goals can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re just starting out. Instead of fixating on the final destination, break things down into smaller, more manageable goals. Each mini-victory—whether it’s increasing your weight by 5 pounds or running for 30 more seconds—builds confidence and momentum.
Smaller goals help you avoid burnout and failure anxiety. They allow you to make progress without expecting perfection. By focusing on these small, achievable steps, you create a cycle of consistent improvement, one that encourages you to embrace mistakes as opportunities rather than setbacks.
No Judgment, Just Progress
Looking back on your journey, don’t focus on what went wrong. Celebrate how much you’ve learned and how far you’ve come. The mistakes were simply stepping stones, and each failure led you closer to your success.
So, give yourself the freedom to be imperfect. Allow yourself to look and feel foolish sometimes. It’s part of the process. Do the best you can until you can do better, and remember: progress is built on mistakes, and growth is the result of continuous effort.
The road to success is not about perfection—it’s about embracing the messy, imperfect, and challenging journey. And with each misstep, you’ll become stronger, wiser, and more skilled.