Years ago, I used to overthink every decision I made, every project I wanted to start, every step I hoped to take. I was obsessed with getting everything completely right, avoiding criticism, and making sure everyone was pleased. Even when I began writing, my focus was on perfection; flawless grammar, precise diction, and mastering every English expression.
That was not the best way to live. It slowed me down and at a time, it made me feel like I wasn’t worth much. But now I know better. I take action, make the move, and learn from the process.
Striving for excellence is fine, it’s natural to want things to be perfect. But letting that desire hold you back is where the real problem lies. No one is perfect. We all learn and grow through our mistakes.
Some people still think like I used to. Some school pupils feel like they must be very sure of answers before raising their hand in class, talented before joining a particular team or extracurricular activity, or completely sure before sharing an idea. They feel like life is waiting for them to be flawless. But honestly? Nobody ever feels fully ready, not even the adults we look up to.
Life isn’t about getting everything right on the first try. It’s about learning as you go, stumbling a bit, figuring things out, and getting better little by little.
We tell ourselves we’ll apply for that job once our résumé looks just right, or start the business after we learn a little more, or reach out to someone when we find the perfect moment. Or start writing when we have perfected the skills. A lot of instances where we delay the right moves because we think we’re not perfect yet. But those perfect moments we’re waiting for? They rarely come.
Think about when you first learned to ride a bike. You didn’t wait until you already knew how to balance. You wobbled, you fell, you tried again. That’s how everything works.
Real life is imperfect. People stumble, doubt themselves, and change their minds. And that’s okay. The people who move forward aren’t the ones who have it all together, they’re the ones who try anyway.
And here’s some advice, especially for kids and teens.
Don’t wait to be perfect. None of us is. Start where you are, with what you have. The important thing isn’t being flawless, it’s being willing to begin.
Try things even if you’re scared. Feeling nervous doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. It just means it matters to you. Courage isn’t the absence of fear, it’s moving forward with it.
Explore a lot. You don’t have to be amazing at something to enjoy it. Try drawing, coding, sports, music, writing, or anything that sparks curiosity. You might surprise yourself.
Ask for help. You’re not supposed to know everything. Teachers, parents, coaches, and friends are there to support you. Asking for help is actually a smart move, not a sign of weakness.
Mistakes are part of the process, they aren’t failures. They show you what to adjust next time. Every person you admire, every athlete, artist, and creator, failed a lot before they succeeded.
Celebrate small steps. Did you try? Did you show up? Did you learn something? That’s worth celebrating. Big achievements are made of hundreds of tiny, imperfect steps.
So make that move today.
Take that bold step.
You’ll learn.
You’ll grow.
And every little step you take will open a door you couldn’t even see before.
✍️ Amara Ann Unachukwu
