Progress Over Perfection: Lessons From Messing Up in Dance Class

The other night in dance class, my instructor called me out to perform choreography in front of everyone. And let me tell you—I messed up. From start to finish, I stumbled, forgot steps, and felt completely out of sync. What made it even more embarrassing was that I had JUST performed the routine really well a few minutes before. Then, the moment I was in the spotlight, I blanked. Talk about humbling!

Afterward, I asked my instructor: “When do you get to that magical place where you hardly mess up anymore?” I felt like I had let him down. His answer? Progress—not perfection—is the goal.

That landed deeply for me. We’re always learning. We’re always growing. The goal isn’t to get it perfect every time—it’s to show up, practice, and keep moving forward.

It reminded me of how true this is in so many areas of life. Whether you’re meal prepping for the first time, trying to hit 10,000 steps a day, getting consistent with fitness, or building a new sleep routine—give yourself grace. Progress takes time, and consistency will take you farther than chasing perfection ever could.

For me, dance has been a living example of this truth. I’ve been back at it for 2.5 years now, and I still forget choreography regularly! But every class, I get a little better, a little stronger, and a little more confident. That’s what matters.

So, if you’re learning something new right now—remember this: growth is messy. Don’t fear the mistakes. Celebrate the progress.

If you’re ready to start your own journey of progress—whether in fitness, nutrition, or holistic self-defense—I’d love to support you. Visit empoweredbydana.com to get started.