Vince Lombardi once said, “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.” That quote has always stuck with me. As a recovering perfectionist myself, I know just how paralyzing perfectionism can be. It can stop you in your tracks before you even begin — making you feel like if you can’t do something perfectly, maybe you shouldn’t do it at all.

But here’s the truth: perfection is an illusion. It’s a moving target that constantly shifts out of reach. And trying to attain it often leads to burnout, procrastination, self-doubt, and even anxiety. That’s where the tools of hypnotherapy and NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) come in. They help us reframe those rigid thought patterns — and open up space for more compassion, curiosity, and courage.

Instead of chasing perfection, what if we focused on progress? What if we gave ourselves permission to grow, to stumble, to experiment — and to learn along the way?

The pursuit of excellence feels very different from the pursuit of perfection. Excellence allows room for humanity. It encourages effort, focus, and care — without demanding flawlessness. It celebrates learning. It acknowledges that mistakes aren’t failures; they’re feedback. And in the world of NLP, feedback is gold. It gives us information we can use to adjust, evolve, and improve.

Hypnotherapy also helps here by working with the subconscious mind — the part of us that holds onto old beliefs like “I’m not good enough” or “If it’s not perfect, I’ve failed.” In a relaxed and open state, we can introduce new, empowering beliefs — like “I’m allowed to learn,” or “I’m doing the best I can, and that’s more than enough.” That shift creates emotional freedom. It lets people move forward with confidence, rather than staying stuck in fear.

Whether you’re building a business, working on your health, parenting, or just trying to show up more fully in your life, striving for excellence instead of perfection is a powerful mindset shift. You’re still holding high standards — but you’re holding them with heart. You’re aiming high, but also giving yourself grace.

So yes — always shoot for the stars. Let your vision inspire you. Let your goals stretch you. But also, pause to celebrate your progress, no matter how small it may seem. And when something doesn’t go as planned, ask: “What can I learn from this?” That’s how growth happens.

This is a mindset I bring into my hypnotherapy and coaching practice every day. It’s not about fixing people — it’s about helping them reconnect to their own inner wisdom and strength. When you embrace imperfection, you actually unlock more of your true potential.

To me, that’s a healthy, sustainable formula for success.
What do you think?

Jayne Goldman, MBA, C.Ht., is the Founder and Principal of Best Life Hypnotherapy in Los Angeles. She specializes in helping clients rewrite limiting beliefs and achieve their greatest potential through hypnotherapy, NLP coaching, and Time Line Therapy®.