Hey there, Oh Snap! crew! As we step into 2026, I’m back with my annual tradition of picking a few guiding words for the year—and this time, we’re shaking things up by bidding farewell to an old frenemy: perfectionism.
You heard that right. This year, I’m writing a breakup letter to perfectionism. For as long as I can remember, that little voice whispering “anything worth doing is worth doing right” has been hanging around in the back of my mind. But you know what? I’m turning the page to a new chapter—one where “right” doesn’t have to mean “perfect” and where a little bit of imperfection is actually the secret sauce.
Before we dive into the words that are guiding me this year: patience, curiosity, imperfection (in the best possible sense), and zeal. I want to write a breakup letter to perfectionism first.
Dear Perfectionism, It’s You…Not Me.
Dear Perfectionism,
We’ve known each other a long time, haven’t we? Ever since I was a little kid, you’ve been that persistent companion whispering, “Anything worth doing is worth doing right.” At first, it sounded like wisdom, like a noble standard. But over time, I’ve realized that you’ve also been a bit of a taskmaster, always pushing me to chase an elusive ideal of “right” that no one ever clearly defined.
Well, it’s time for us to part ways. I’m learning that what’s “worth doing” is often worth doing imperfectly. It’s worth doing with patience, curiosity, and yes, a dash of zeal—even if it’s not polished to a high shine. I’m embracing the idea that doing something new means embracing the learning process, the stumbles, and the rough edges. Without that imperfection, I wouldn’t have come this far or discovered the joy of adjusting and growing along the way.
So goodbye, perfectionism. I’m choosing to walk a path paved differently. We had our run, but it’s time for me to step into a world where “good enough” is a stepping stone to even greater things.
Patience: The Graceful Slowdown
Patience is my reminder that good things take time. With projects like the Expert Excellence Engine in the works, I’m giving myself permission to let things unfold at a natural pace. It’s not about dragging my feet; it’s about trusting the process and understanding that growth often happens in those in-between moments.
Curiosity: The Power of Asking and Listening
Curiosity is all about staying open to learning and being willing to tweak and adjust as I go. It’s my invitation to ask more questions of my clients and my team and to really listen to what they’re telling me. It’s not about constantly overhauling everything, but about evolving thoughtfully and keeping that sense of wonder alive.
Imperfection: Embracing the Beauty of the First Draft
Here’s where we really break up with perfectionism. This year, imperfection is my badge of honor. It’s the understanding that the first version of anything new isn’t supposed to be flawless—it’s supposed to be a starting point. Without embracing a bit of imperfection, I wouldn’t be where I am today. It’s all about giving myself the freedom to start messy and refine along the way.
Zeal: The Enthusiastic Drive Forward
And finally, zeal is that spark of energy that keeps the wheels turning. It’s the passion that fuels me to share my message and support others, even when the road gets a little bumpy. It’s that frequency dial tuned into fun and charisma that illuminates through the screen to my students, clients and team that makes them want to stick around and be part of something greater than themselves. It’s that “let’s do this” attitude that turns ideas into action and dreams into reality.
So here’s to a year of patience, curiosity, a healthy dose of imperfection, and a whole lot of zeal. Let’s embrace the beauty of doing it anyway, even if it’s not perfect, and see where this journey takes us! What are your word(s) of 2026? Email me to let me know hello at oh snapsocial dot com.