Perfection is a myth. We all know that. And yet, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try.

The Stoics had a concept called the Sage—an ideal human being, perfectly rational, wise, and virtuous. The kind of person who never loses their temper, never makes a bad decision, and always does the right thing.

Sounds great, right? Except even they admitted that no one could actually be a Sage. Not even Marcus Aurelius, and he ruled the Roman Empire while writing a self-improvement journal.

So if perfection is impossible, why chase it?

Because growth happens in the pursuit.

Take parenting, for example. I know I won’t be the perfect dad. But that doesn’t stop me from trying.

Like when my kids decide that bedtime is the perfect time to transform into Olympic-level negotiators.
“Dad, I need water.”
“You already have water.”
“This water is old water.”
“Go to bed.”
“Can I just tell you one more thing?”
“Fine.”
​“So today at school, right, my friend told me that cats can’t taste sweet things. Isn’t that crazy?”

At this point, I have two choices:

1. Snap, because it’s been a long day and I’ve already heard seven different versions of how cats apparently have defective taste buds.
2. Pause, breathe, and be the dad I actually want to be.

I don’t always get it right. But I try.

Or take work—running businesses, managing people, trying to balance it all. There are days when I feel like I’m nailing it, making the right decisions, staying calm under pressure. And then there are days where I stare at my inbox like it personally offended me and wonder if I can get away with moving to a remote island.

The goal isn’t to be perfect. The goal is to be better than yesterday.

Every time I don’t snap at my kids when they’re testing my patience, I’m improving.
Every time I don’t lose my cool over a client doing that thing again, I’m improving.
Every time I reflect on my choices, learn from my mistakes, and try again, I’m improving.

Marcus Aurelius wrote, “Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.”

Not “be a perfect one.” Just be one. Try. Show up. Put in the reps.

Because the truth is, the people who actually get somewhere in life aren’t the ones waiting until they’re perfect—they’re the ones who just keep moving.

Reflection: What’s one small way you can improve today? Not tomorrow. Today.

Hit reply and let me know. And if you know someone who’s been beating themselves up for not getting everything right, forward this to them. They need to hear it.

Until next time,

Broden Johnson

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