Change Your Goal From Perfection to Progress

If we want to create a more inclusive culture, we have to accept that we might make mistakes.

Did you know that 55% of people are uncomfortable talking about diversity and inclusion at work for fear of saying the wrong thing? If we’re going to create cultures of belonging and mattering, we need to set aside our perfectionism and instead make space for grace, growth, and learning. We’re all going to make mistakes — that’s part of the learning process. Once we accept this, we can focus on owning our mistakes and growing from them.

So how do we overcome this fear of saying the wrong thing? We need to give ourselves some grace, shift our goal from perfection to progress, and choose a path of learning instead of judgment and shame.

You can activate this mindset shift with these Microsteps:

When you make a mistake, ask yourself what you can learn from it.

Reframing mistakes or moments of discomfort as learning opportunities can help you develop a growth mindset and push you toward self-improvement.

If someone shares that something you said hurt or offended them, apologize. And thank them for letting you know.

Accountability is essential to create a culture of true inclusion and belonging. Once you’ve acknowledged your mistake, remember that it doesn’t define you.

If you’ve made a mistake, or think you might have, ask a trusted friend for their compassionately direct feedback.

Receiving honest feedback may be hard at first, but consider it a valuable opportunity to build self-awareness and learn from your mistakes.

At the end of the day, acknowledge one small thing you did to make someone else feel included.

Celebrating your small wins reminds you that you can have an impact even if you’re still learning and growing.

You can also cultivate a growth mindset with positive affirmations. As humans, we’re prone to self-doubt. In moments where you’re feeling the pressure to be perfect, or to get things right on the first try, use one of these positive affirmations:

• “I am not defined by my mistakes.”

• “I welcome all opportunities to learn and grow.”

• “I am capable of doing difficult and uncomfortable things.”

• “I can handle any challenge that comes my way.”

See a positive affirmation that resonates with you? Take this moment to write it down on a sticky note and place it somewhere you’ll see it each day.