The Day I Stopped Waiting for Perfect: Why Starting Imperfectly Changed Everything
How Perfectionism Paralyzes Your Health Goals—And the 2-Week Challenge That Will Finally Set You Free
By Charissa Geyer, MD
November 6, 2025| 5-minute read
When Fear Becomes the Enemy of Your Wellness
I’m sitting here today, about to hit “publish” on this blog post, and I’ll be honest with you: my website isn’t finished. There are edits I want to make. Blog posts I’ve been meaning to publish. And there’s this nagging voice in my head asking, “What if no one is interested in what you’re offering?”
But today is the day I let all that go. Today is the day I just START.
As a board-certified Internal Medicine physician, certified Health & Wellness Coach, and the founder of Pioneering Wellness, I’ve spent years helping others transform their health. Yet here I am, facing the same obstacle that stops so many of my clients in their tracks: the paralyzing fear of imperfection.
If you’ve ever put off starting that exercise routine, delayed scheduling a doctor’s appointment, or convinced yourself you’ll “begin your wellness journey when things settle down,” you’re not alone. Perfectionism isn’t just the enemy of good—it’s the silent saboteur of your health.
Today, I’m inviting you to join me in doing something radical: starting before you’re ready.
The Hidden Health Cost of Waiting for Perfect
Research shows that perfectionism is linked to increased stress, anxiety, depression, and even chronic health conditions. When we wait for the “perfect” moment to prioritize our health—the perfect diet plan, the perfect workout schedule, the perfect stress level—we’re actually making a choice: the choice to remain stuck.
Here’s what perfectionism costs us:
- Delayed medical care: Waiting until symptoms are “bad enough” to see a doctor
- All-or-nothing thinking: “If I can’t exercise for an hour, why bother at all?”
- Chronic stress: The mental burden of unrealistic expectations
- Missed opportunities: Passing on wellness programs because “it’s not the right time”
- Decreased self-compassion: Beating ourselves up for not being “good enough”
The truth is, your body doesn’t need you to be perfect. It needs you to start.
The Pioneering Wellness Approach: Whole-Person Care Without Perfection
At Pioneering Wellness, we believe in something different: meeting you where you are. Not where you think you should be. Not where social media says you should be. But exactly where you are right now—imperfections, fears, and all.
Our approach to health and wellness embraces the 10 Dimensions of Wellbeing:
- Personal – authentic self and growth
- Spiritual – purpose and meaning
- Physical – body and vitality
- Family – closest bonds and support
- Financial – resources and stability
- Environmental – surroundings and nature
- Social – community belonging
- Occupational – work and contribution
- Emotional – feelings and resilience
- Intellectual – mind and learning
Notice something about this list? It’s comprehensive, yes—but it doesn’t demand perfection in any single area. Instead, it acknowledges that wellness is a journey across multiple dimensions, and progress in even one area creates positive ripples throughout your life.
5 Pioneering Strategies to Overcome Perfectionist Paralysis
1. Practice “Good Enough” Medicine
In my many years of medical leadership, I’ve learned that the enemy of a good solution is often the search for the perfect one. The same applies to your wellness journey.
Start with this: Choose ONE dimension of wellness from the list above. Not all ten. Just one. What’s one small action you could take this week?
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2. Embrace the 10-Minute Rule
Can’t commit to a full workout routine? Start with 10 minutes. Can’t overhaul your entire diet? Make one healthier choice today.
The science: Studies show that even brief periods of physical activity improve cardiovascular health, mood, and cognitive function. Perfection isn’t required—consistency is!
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3. Build Self-Awareness Before Self-Criticism
Before you can create lasting change, you need to understand where you truly are. This means honest, compassionate self-assessment.
Try this: Rate yourself 1-10 in each dimension of wellness. Don’t judge the numbers—just notice them. Awareness is the first step to transformation.
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4. Find Your “Why” (Not Someone Else’s)
Perfectionism often stems from trying to meet external expectations. But sustainable health transformation comes from internal motivation.
Reflect: Why do YOU want to improve your health? Not because your doctor said so, or because you think you should, but because of what truly matters to YOU.
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5. Create Accountability Without Judgment
One of the most powerful aspects of health coaching is having someone who supports your journey without shame or criticism.
Remember: You don’t need to do this alone. Genuine and compassionate support makes all the difference.
The “Just Start” 2-Week Challenge
Here’s my challenge to you—and to myself: For the next two weeks, commit to imperfect action.
Week 1: Choose Your Starting Point
Days 1-3: Pick ONE dimension of wellness to focus on. Just one.
- Write down why this dimension matters to you
- Identify one small, achievable action you can take daily
- Do that action for three days in a row (it can take 5 minutes!)
Days 4-7: Reflect and adjust
- What worked? What didn’t?
- Can you maintain this action, or do you need to make it smaller?
- Add a second small action if the first feels sustainable
Week 2: Build Momentum
Days 8-10: Expand slightly
- Continue your week 1 action(s)
- Notice how it feels in your body and mind
- Share your progress with one person
Days 11-14: Celebrate and plan
- Acknowledge what you’ve accomplished (even if imperfect!)
- Identify what you want to continue
- Decide your next small step
The goal isn’t transformation in two weeks—it’s proving to yourself that you CAN start, you CAN show up imperfectly, and you CAN take action despite fear.
My Commitment to You: Healthcare the Way It Should Be
Today, as I publish this imperfect blog post with my imperfect website, I’m making you a promise: At Pioneering Wellness, you will never be expected to be perfect.
You will be expected to:
- Show up authentically
- Be curious about your health
- Practice self-compassion
- Take small, sustainable steps
- Celebrate progress over perfection
Because here’s what I’ve learned in my years as both a physician and a wellness coach: The people who transform their health aren’t the ones who wait for perfect conditions. They’re the ones who start anyway.
They start when they’re scared. When they’re busy. When they’re not sure it will work. They start with a physician who listens, a coach who understands, and a community that supports them—no matter where they are in their journey.
That’s healthcare the way it should be.
Special Offers: Because Starting Should Be Rewarded, Not Punished
Since we’re both committing to imperfect action, I want to make starting as easy as possible for you:
🎁 Offer #1: Not Ready for Coaching? Start Here
Download the free “Wellness Without Guilt” E-book — a 25+ page physician-designed workbook including a Wellness Motivation Assessment, 2-week challenge tracker, evidence-based anti-perfectionism strategies, and 50+ small action ideas you can implement in 10 minutes or less. No credit card required. Work through it at your own pace, and when you’re ready for personalized support, the offers below are waiting for you.
🎁 Offer #2: Try Coaching Risk-Free
Receive 4 FREE sequential health and wellness coaching sessions through the end of December 2025. Experience physician-led, compassionate coaching that meets you exactly where you are. Schedule your initial consultation HERE.
🎁 Offer #3: Bring Your Community
If you refer a family member or friend who signs up for 1 year of functional medicine support, get your $200 enrollment fee waived. Because wellness is better together. Offer ends December 31, 2025. Fill out the CONTACT US form to get started.
🎁 Offer #4: Start Your Transformation
Get 10% off ($500 value) a 6-month health and wellness coaching program. Join our cohort starting January 1, 2026, and begin the new year with comprehensive support across all 10 dimensions of wellness.
The Bottom Line: Start Today, Perfect Later (Or Never)
I could have waited to launch Pioneering Wellness until every page was polished, every blog was written, every doubt was resolved. But then I would have missed the opportunity to serve you today.
Your health works the same way. You could wait until you have the perfect schedule, the perfect motivation, the perfect plan. Or you could start today—right now—with one small step.
The question isn’t whether you’re ready. The question is: What will you do with this moment?
Will you let fear and perfectionism keep you stuck? Or will you take imperfect action toward the health and wellness you deserve?
Take Your First Imperfect Step
Ready to start your wellness journey—even if you’re not sure you’re ready?
📞 Call us: 855-554-2664
✉️ Email: info@pioneeringwellness.doctor
🌐 Learn more: Visit our website to explore our services or fill out our CONTACT US form to get more information
Remember: Your care. Your life. Healthcare, reimagined for YOU.
About Dr. Charissa Geyer
Dr. Charissa Geyer is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician, certified Health & Wellness Coach, and the founder of Pioneering Wellness. As a minority female physician with experience in physician governance and healthcare leadership, she brings a unique perspective to addressing healthcare disparities and patient engagement. Her mission is simple: transform healthcare delivery into physician-led, whole-person wellness journeys—one imperfect step at a time.
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Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good—or the enemy of your health. Start your wellness journey today, imperfections and all.
