6.25 Lorena Ochoa: Aim for Success, Not Perfection

“Aim for success, not perfection. Never give up your right to be wrong because then you will lose the ability to learn new things and move forward with your life.” - Lorena Ochoa

Do you know the difference between success and perfection?

Success is about progress, growth, and learning. It means setting goals, doing your best, and adapting when things don’t go as planned. Success often involves failing along the way—but learning and improving each time.

Perfection, on the other hand, is about flawlessness. It demands no mistakes, no missteps, no mess—and that’s impossible to maintain. The pursuit of perfection can lead to fear, anxiety, and procrastination because it creates a false belief that you’re only valuable when everything is done perfectly.

Success is moving forward. Perfection is getting stuck.

Lorena Ochoa is a legendary Mexican golfer—widely regarded as one of the greatest women in the sport’s history. She once said, “Aim for success, not perfection. Never give up your right to be wrong because then you will lose the ability to learn new things and move forward with your life.”

Don’t let perfection get in the way of growth and greatness.

Lorena Ochoa’s quote is a great reminder: If you’re afraid to be wrong, you’ll stop growing. But if you aim for success, you give yourself permission to try, fail, learn—and ultimately thrive.

Question of the Day: When is it harder for you to focus on success over perfection—and what helps you shift your mindset?