Messing Up

November 11, 2024


In a world that’s obsessed with perfection, the idea of "messing up" looms large. We’re told from an early age that mistakes are to be avoided, and that success is a straight line from start to finish. But the truth is, you never really mess up.

What Does "Messing Up" Really Mean?

Think about the last time you tried something new — whether it was painting, writing, starting a new project, or making a bold decision. Did it turn out exactly how you imagined? Probably not. But that doesn’t mean you messed up.

Why? Because “messing up” is rooted in expectations. We imagine a specific outcome and then beat ourselves up if reality doesn’t match up. But if you take a step back, you'll realize that the very act of doing something — anything — is far more important than the result.

What does it mean to "mess up"? Usually, it’s the idea that you failed to reach the goal you set for yourself. But what if the goal wasn’t the end, but the journey itself? What if the value lies in the process and not just in a perfect outcome?

The Only "Mess Up" is Not Beginning

Let’s flip the script. The only true “mess up” is not doing the thing. Not starting the project, not picking up the paintbrush, not taking the first step. Because in that moment, nothing happens. Nothing changes. You stay stuck in the realm of possibility, without ever testing those possibilities in the real world.

Failure can only happen if you try. And the simple fact that you are trying — that you are creating, experimenting, exploring — means you’ve already accomplished something monumental. You’ve taken that first step, you’ve moved from the abstract into the concrete. You’ve dared to take action. And that’s something many people never do.

Every Effort is Monumental

When you begin something — anything — you’re creating something that didn’t exist before. Whether you’re writing a novel, starting a business, or just trying to draw a picture, you’re contributing to the world in a way that wouldn’t happen if you stayed on the sidelines. Each action you take adds to the fabric of life in ways that are impossible to measure or predict.

Here’s the thing: the mere fact that you’re doing it, that you’re showing up and making, means you’re ahead of most people who never even start. Every mark on the canvas, every word on the page, every attempt to solve a problem is a step forward. It’s progress. And that progress, no matter how messy it feels, is a win.

Even if things don’t go as planned, you’ve learned. You’ve adapted. You’ve discovered something new about yourself or the world around you. That’s what growth looks like. It’s messy, unpredictable, and often uncomfortable. But it’s never a failure.

Perfection Isn’t the Goal

What if we let go of the idea that we have to perfect everything we do? Perfection is a cage. It traps us in the fear of failure, making us second-guess every decision and hold back from taking risks. Instead, imagine if we could just be in the moment — creating for the joy of creating, trying for the sake of trying, and not worrying about what happens afterward.

What if the goal was simply to begin, to act, and to allow the results to unfold organically?

You see, the process is where the magic happens. It’s where growth happens, where self-discovery happens, where the true beauty of creation exists. It’s where your journey takes shape. The result? That’s just a byproduct of the effort. It’s not the reason why you do it.

Embrace the "Mess"

The next time you feel like you’ve “messed up,” ask yourself this: what does that even mean? What did you set out to do, and did you try? If the answer is yes, then you haven’t messed up at all. You’ve made something new. You’ve created something that didn’t exist before. And that, my friend, is monumental.

Perfection? That’s an illusion. The act of creating, of trying, of stepping into the unknown? That’s what counts. So embrace the “mess,” celebrate the effort, and know that every step you take, every try you make, is valuable.

Because in the end, the only mess-up is not starting at all. And as long as you’re trying, you’re winning.