{"id":48968,"date":"2021-07-01T13:56:54","date_gmt":"2021-07-01T13:56:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dynamischbureau.nl\/practice-makes-progress\/"},"modified":"2025-04-04T10:43:15","modified_gmt":"2025-04-04T10:43:15","slug":"practice-makes-progress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dynamischbureau.nl\/en\/practice-makes-progress\/","title":{"rendered":"Practice makes progress."},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Practice makes progress.\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tLink<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFacebook<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tLinkedin<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Perfection is an illusion. You\u2019ve probably heard the English expression \u201cPractice makes perfect.\u201d We often use this phrase when there\u2019s still something we need to learn. <\/p>\n

The idea is that when you practice, you gradually get better at something. There\u2019s nothing wrong with striving for perfection\u2014it can boost your motivation, sharpen your focus, and help you improve your skills. <\/p>\n

However, striving for perfection also comes with a risk, because we often take it literally. The Van Dale dictionary defines perfection as \u201cthe absence of flaws or defects; = flawlessness.\u201d When you truly reflect on what that means, you\u2019ll realize it\u2019s impossible to achieve. <\/p>\n

To be human is to make mistakes.<\/strong>
Making mistakes is simply part of being human. So \u201cPractice makes perfect\u201d implies striving for something that doesn\u2019t actually exist. And that pursuit can lead to stress, paralysis, and fear of failure. Even if you\u2019re very skilled at something, there will still be moments when you overlook something, forget something, or make a mistake. That\u2019s why perfection is an illusion. <\/p>\n

If your \u2018perfection switch\u2019 is always turned on, it can lead to unnecessary stress. When that stress builds up, it can eventually result in stress-related symptoms and even absenteeism. Tasks also tend to take more time. You actually save time by aiming for \u201cgood is good enough.\u201d <\/p>\n

Striving for perfection can also be paralyzing due to the fear of not doing things perfectly. When you believe something has to be flawless\u2014even when you\u2019re still in the learning phase\u2014it can lead to procrastination. As a result, you may miss out on valuable learning opportunities, because in the end, we learn the most from our mistakes. <\/p>\n

This is something I still struggle with myself. For instance, I\u2019ve challenged myself to be more active on LinkedIn. But then I find myself wrestling with the post I want to share, because of course, it has to be good and interesting right away. That\u2019s my inner critic in full force. The result? I start putting it off again, reading something first or making a list of possible topics. Meanwhile, plenty is happening, but nothing actually gets posted. <\/p>\n

Practice makes progress.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I prefer using the phrase \u201cpractice makes progress\u201d to help myself actually go ahead and post. Progress means making small steps forward, gradually getting better at something. If you make mistakes or miss the mark once in a while, that\u2019s okay\u2014because it doesn\u2019t have to be perfect. What matters is that by doing, you grow as a person. That you give yourself the space to develop your talents and, in doing so, become a more complete version of yourself. <\/p>\n

And every now and then, take a moment to look back at the path you\u2019ve traveled. Seeing where you started and where you are now can help you view yourself with more confidence. You can recognize the progress you\u2019ve made, the steps you\u2019ve taken. And the fact that it\u2019s not perfect (and never will be) doesn\u2019t matter\u2014that\u2019s not the point. <\/p>\n

Keeping this in mind makes it a lot easier to write something. It doesn\u2019t have to be perfect, even though my inner critic still wants to believe it does. But the post is up now, and that\u2019s what counts \ud83d\ude09. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Subscribe articles<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Receive regular practical tips, experiences and inspiration for increasing happiness at work! Leave your details here. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t