I have often described myself as an “All or Nothing” kind of person. I think that sounded good; I am either all in, or I will be out. But there was a problem, too often it really meant that I all in – until that moment I slipped in some way or measure. If it was a workout plan, maybe I injured myself, got sick, or perhaps just got too busy. I would miss a workout, maybe two and before I knew it, I was back to nothing.

I can’t tell you how many times I have started something with great optimism and energy only to not live up to my own expectations and then quit. Blogs, online classes, diets, books – I am a reliable starter but have struggled to be a consistent finisher. No, the pattern is not universal; there are many things that I continue to be fully committed to the end. I have been married twenty-eight years, I have completed three degrees, and I have been employed as a pastor for twenty-one years. What is the difference? I never looked at any of those as “all or nothing.” I never thought that if I had a bad day as a husband, I would just quit. No, regardless of how many days I failed to live up to my expectations of being the right kind of husband, I had to keep trying to move the needle in that direction.

In fact, my understanding of what it means to be a good husband continues to grow and change over time. I will never completely arrive, and I will never be perfect. And that is the point. When we seek All (perfection) or Nothing, there is only one outcome – Nothing. We will never be perfect, and therefore, perfection is the enemy of progress. Whether it is getting healthy or being a good spouse or growing in your faith, there is never an arrival but only the journey. Growth is continuing to move the needle in that direction.

Don’t wait for the perfect day to get started – there is no such thing. If you have a goal in mind, just take a small step in that direction. Just get started. When you slip, and we all do, get back up and keep moving. It is not about perfection, it is about progress.