Why You Don’t Need a Perfect Routine to Get Results

Apr 1

Raise your hand if you’ve ever said something like:
“I’ll start Monday.”
“Once work slows down, I’ll get back to the gym.”
“If I can’t do it perfectly, what’s the point?”

Yep… been there too. But here’s the truth: chasing perfect is the #1 reason most people never build momentum in the first place.

Perfection is a sneaky form of self-sabotage

It feels like we’re being disciplined when we hold out for the “right time” or obsess over the ideal plan… but really, we’re just delaying the messy, imperfect action that leads to change.

And guess what? The people who actually see results—better energy, consistent movement, balanced meals, more confidence—aren’t doing it perfectly. They’ve just figured out how to keep showing up, even when life is chaotic.

Because it will be chaotic.

The science of consistency > intensity

Research on habit formation (think James Clear’s “Atomic Habits”) shows that it’s not about intensity—it’s about frequency. The brain builds habits through repetition, not perfection.

So instead of going all in, burning out, and starting over... what if you built a minimum baseline habit that you could repeat even on your worst day?

Can’t do an hour-long workout? Try a 10-minute walk.
No time for meal prep? Prep just your proteins.
Overwhelmed by tracking macros? Start with 1 balanced meal a day.

These small wins train your brain to trust yourself. And over time, those actions compound into real progress.

What to do when motivation is nowhere to be found

Let’s be real—motivation is flaky. Some days you’re hyped up. Other days? Not so much.

That’s where identity-based habits come in.

Instead of relying on motivation, you anchor to who you want to become:

“I’m someone who moves my body every day.”
“I’m someone who fuels myself with balanced meals.”
“I’m someone who prioritizes my sleep.”

When that’s your identity, even the tiniest action aligns with the bigger picture. And you no longer need motivation—you’ve got momentum.

Action steps for imperfect consistency:

Set a baseline.
Ask yourself: “What’s the smallest version of this habit I could do on a bad day?”
Then start there.
Pick a daily anchor habit.
Choose one habit you can commit to every day—something so simple it’s almost laughable. Like drinking 8 oz of water first thing in the morning.
Track streaks, not perfection.
Focus on showing up most days, not every day. Progress over perfection, always.