Joy Wasted with KB Dickey

Let me tell y’all something about me: progress is my love language. It’s my driving force, my North Star, my one word. If I’m not moving forward, I’m absolutely miserable. And I don’t mean just busy for the sake of being busy—I mean building something, working on something that’s stacking up to my goals. That’s when I’m in my zone.

You know that feeling when you’re checking things off your list and inching closer to your dreams? That’s the sweet spot. But here’s the kicker: it doesn’t have to be perfect. And for someone like me—who loves progress—it took a while to understand that perfection is a trap.

Why Perfection Will Paralyze You

The problem with chasing perfection is that it keeps you stuck. You end up waiting for the “perfect” time, the “perfect” plan, or the “perfect” opportunity. Spoiler alert: perfection doesn’t exist. And while you’re out here trying to line everything up just right, you’re losing time—and time is something you can’t get back.

When you focus on progress, though? That’s where the magic happens. Progress is messy. It’s imperfect. It’s full of lessons. But it’s also momentum. And momentum is what pushes you closer to your goals, one step at a time.

Building vs. Standing Still

For me, everything revolves around being in the process of building something. I need to feel like my actions today are adding up to something bigger tomorrow. It’s what gets me out of bed in the morning.

But here’s the thing: you can’t build if you’re standing still. You can’t move forward if you’re obsessing over whether you’re doing it “right.” Some of the most successful people I know didn’t wait for everything to be perfect—they started where they were, with what they had, and figured it out along the way.

What About You?

So, what about you? Are you making progress, or are you stuck in the quicksand of perfectionism?

• Are you waiting for the “perfect” time? Stop waiting. The best time to start is now.
• Do you feel like you need all the answers before you begin? You don’t. Start with what you know and learn as you go.
• Are you afraid of messing up? Newsflash: you will. And that’s okay. Every misstep is a lesson that moves you closer to success.

Celebrate the Small Wins

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to celebrate every step forward, no matter how small. Progress isn’t always about big leaps; sometimes, it’s about inching forward on the days when you feel like quitting. Those little victories add up in a big way.

Did you finally finish that project you’ve been procrastinating on? Celebrate. Did you save $10 this week toward your goal? Celebrate. Did you take one tiny step out of your comfort zone? Celebrate that, too.

Progress Is the Goal

At the end of the day, progress isn’t just about reaching the destination—it’s about who you become along the way. Every step forward teaches you something new. Every win, no matter how small, builds your confidence.

So, let’s stop stressing about getting it perfect. Let’s focus on moving forward, one step at a time. Because progress? That’s where the real growth happens.

Now tell me: What are you working on? What’s your next step? Drop it in the comments—I want to cheer you on! 💪🏾

Joy Junkie