Worth Doing
I was visiting with a friend recently and she said something that really struck me. We were talking about helping our kids set goals and setting goals as a family and some of the charts and plans I’ve put in place in the past. As you would expect, none of those plans or strategies are currently functioning at 100% or even 50%, and I was kind of on the shame side of the fence. But she said that a wise person once told her that “Anything worth doing, is worth doing poorly.” WHAT? That is magic to my ears!
I’m the queen of doing a lot of things, often poorly. And it gets frustrating because I wanted to do everything well. But hearing that phrase made me realize something important: perfection isn’t necessary to make progress.
I think as moms, entrepreneurs, and just as humans, we often put so much pressure on ourselves to excel in every area of our lives. We want to be perfect parents, successful business owners, supportive friends, and still have time to pursue our passions. But the truth is, it's okay if we don't get it right all the time. It's okay to stumble, to have days and projects and plans that don't go as planned.
Reflecting on my own experiences, I realize that some of the most rewarding moments have come from endeavors that were far from perfect. Take blogging, for example. I took a long break, and when I decided to return, I worried about whether I could keep up with it, whether my posts would resonate, or if I'd find the time to write consistently. But I jumped back in, imperfectly, and so far it's been incredibly fulfilling. The connections I make, the stories I share, and the creative outlet it provides are worth every imperfect moment.
The same goes for running Nickel & Suede. There have been countless challenges and learning curves. There were times when I felt like I was just scraping by, not doing enough, not being enough. But looking back, I see how much we've grown, how much we've achieved, even when things weren't perfect. Each misstep was a step forward, each mistake a lesson learned.
As a family, we’ve had our fair share of imperfect moments too. Goal-setting with the kids, creating family plans, and trying to stick to them can often feel like a herculean task. But even when the charts are forgotten, or the plans fall apart, the effort itself brings us closer together. We talk, we share, we learn from each other. It’s in these imperfect attempts that we find our rhythm, our way of being a family.
So, I’m embracing the idea that anything worth doing is worth doing poorly. It’s about showing up, giving it a try, and understanding that perfection is not the goal. The goal is to be present, to engage, to make an effort, and to appreciate the process, however messy it might be.
If you’re like me, juggling multiple roles and trying to do your best in all of them, give yourself grace. Celebrate the small victories, the imperfect attempts, and the fact that you’re showing up. Because in the end not giving up is what truly matters.
Here's to doing things poorly and making progress anyway.
xo,
Kilee
