More Often Than Not: The Mindset Shift That Helps You Break Free from Perfectionism
Perfectionism is one of the biggest roadblocks standing in the way of real progress. So many of us get caught up in an "all or nothing" mindset—if we can’t do something perfectly, we feel like we’ve failed. But here’s the truth: the key to lasting change isn’t perfection, it’s consistency. And the best way to stay consistent? Embrace the mindset of more often than not.
This simple but powerful shift allows you to release the unrealistic expectations that perfectionism places on you. Instead of aiming for flawless execution every single day, you focus on showing up more often than not—which means giving yourself grace, building sustainable habits, and creating real momentum.
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Why Perfectionism Holds You Back
If you’ve ever avoided starting something because you were afraid of failing, you’re not alone. Studies have shown that perfectionism is often rooted in fear—fear of failure, fear of judgment, fear that we aren’t "good enough." (Verywell Mind)
When we believe our worth is tied to our accomplishments, we either push ourselves to exhaustion trying to be "perfect" or we completely shut down and avoid the task altogether. That’s why perfectionism often leads to procrastination and burnout. Instead of making slow, steady progress, we either go all in until we crash or we don’t start at all.
But here’s what we need to remember: our worth is not determined by how perfectly we perform a task.
The Power of "More Often Than Not"
So how do we break free from perfectionism? By shifting our mindset from "all or nothing" to "more often than not."
When you adopt this approach, you allow yourself to:
Make mistakes without giving up entirely.
Build habits that feel sustainable, not overwhelming.
See progress over time instead of getting stuck in unrealistic expectations.
Rather than aiming for perfection, you focus on consistently showing up—even if it’s not every single day.
Identity-Based Habits: A Better Approach to Lasting Change
James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, explains that real behavior change happens when we shift our focus from what we do to who we are becoming. This is called identity-based habits.
Instead of setting goals based on actions ("I want to work out every day"), you shift your mindset to your identity ("I am the kind of person who moves her body regularly").
Rather than stressing about a checklist of tasks, you focus on the bigger picture—who you want to be. And when you embrace the "more often than not" mindset, you give yourself the grace to keep moving forward, even when life doesn’t go as planned.
Small Habits, Big Impact
In a recent podcast episode, I shared three tiny home habits that have been game-changers for reducing stress and keeping my space organized:
Making my bed each morning – This sets the tone for the day and creates an immediate sense of order.
Throwing in a load of laundry at night – A simple way to keep the laundry from piling up.
Running the dishwasher before bed – Waking up to a clean kitchen makes mornings feel lighter and more manageable.
The magic isn’t in doing these habits perfectly every single day—it’s in doing them more often than not.
When you show up for these small habits consistently, they start to feel effortless. And over time, they create a positive ripple effect in your life.
How to Start Embracing "More Often Than Not"
If you’re ready to ditch perfectionism and start making real progress, here’s how to get started:
Shift your focus to identity-based habits. Instead of saying "I need to do X every day," think about the kind of person you want to become.
Set realistic expectations. Tiny habits lead to big change, so start small and build momentum.
Celebrate progress, not perfection. If you do something 4 out of 7 days this week, that’s a win!
Give yourself grace. Life happens. Missing a day or messing up doesn’t mean you’ve failed.
Ready to Take This Further?
If this message resonates with you, and you're ready to create habits and systems that actually work for your life, I’d love to invite you to book a Systems Strategy Call with me.
What is a Systems Strategy Call? —a quick 30-minute 1:1 call where we can:
✔ Identify where you feel stuck in your home & routines
✔ Pinpoint the small shifts that will make the biggest difference
✔ Create a simple, customized system that actually works for you
Ready to feel more organized and in control—without the stress?
👉 Book your Systems Strategy Call here: jessielarson.com/systems
You don’t have to figure this out alone. Let’s create tiny habits that lead to big results—together. 💛
Resources & Links You Need To Support You!
Delegate to your kids and Simplify With Zone Cleaning
Get Help Setting Up Your Systems!
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5 Minute Meditations for Kids: Build healthy mental habits for the whole family with this great resource. You can listen on Spotify (with video), on Apple, and we are also on YouTube.
One-on-One Coaching and Systems Strategy Calls: If you want personalized help, click here to book a discovery call!
