Why Progress Matters More Than Perfection

Perfectionism is often mistaken for professionalism in child care. High standards matter — but perfectionism quietly undermines both well-being and quality over time.

What the Research Shows

Research consistently links perfectionism to higher stress, anxiety, and burnout — particularly in helping professions.

Perfectionism creates a moving target: no matter how much you improve, it never feels like enough.

Progress Builds Momentum

Progress-focused thinking shifts the question from:

“Did I do this perfectly?”

to

“Did this work better than before?”

That shift reduces pressure and increases learning.

A Real-Life Example

One provider was overwhelmed trying to improve every part of the daily schedule. Instead, she focused on improving just one transition — cleanup before lunch. Once that felt smoother, other parts of the day improved naturally.

Small progress created momentum.

Reframing Professionalism

Professionalism doesn’t require flawlessness. It requires:

• Awareness

• Willingness to adjust

• Commitment to learning over time

Progress keeps you moving forward. Perfection keeps you stuck.