Lately, I’ve started reformer pilates with a fantastic teacher. And while I love it, I quickly noticed something: my background as a dancer is both a blessing and a curse.
On the one hand, my body remembers so much, like the posture, the alignment, the discipline. On the other hand, that same dancer’s mindset whispers: “It has to be perfect. Every move. Every detail.”
And there it is again: perfectionism.
For dancers, “good enough” doesn’t really exist. There’s always a line that can be straighter, a jump that can be higher, a movement that can be more precise. That mindset shaped me, not just in the studio, but later in business and in life. It made me ambitious, committed, and detail-oriented. But it also made me tough on myself.
What I’m learning again on the reformer is that perfectionism doesn’t always serve progress. You can be so focused on the perfect form, the perfect outcome, that you forget the value of the process. You forget to celebrate the fact that you’re there, showing up, moving, learning.
Over time, I’ve found a way to balance it. Before I start something, whether it’s a new workout, a project, or even a keynote. I set a wish. I imagine the best outcome. But then I go further: I ask myself, what are the obstacles? What could go wrong? What’s outside of my control? By reframing potential pitfalls as opportunities, I allow space for imperfection.
I’ve also learned to spread my goals across different areas of life. When progress is slow in one domain, energy in another can keep me motivated. Because perfectionism isolates; balance connects.
Pilates reminds me that strength is built through repetition, patience, and consistency and not through flawless performance. And life works the same way.
So, can perfectionism get in the way of progress? Absolutely. But only if we let it. If we choose instead to see imperfection as part of the journey, then every “flaw” becomes a stepping stone.
And maybe the real perfection isn’t in the move itself, but in daring to keep moving.
