Perfectionism vs. Excellence: How to Stop Stagnating and Start Growing |Harder to Breathe Podcast
Release Date: 10/07/2025
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info_outlineThis week, hosts Ryan Dusick and Brian “Duck” Maillard tackle the ultimate double-edged sword: perfectionism. Ryan shares his incredibly vulnerable journey of realizing that his quest for perfection ultimately led to stagnation—a "rock bottom" in his professional life after leaving Maroon 5.
Perfectionism, often mistaken for a strength, is revealed as a self-defeating mindset that blocks progress by holding you to an unattainable ideal. The solution? A crucial shift to the pursuit of excellence, which accepts the necessity of setbacks, learning, and growth as part of the process.
This one-on-one deep dive is packed with relatable moments, from the pressures of performing on a massive stage to the simple struggle of getting a good take on a self-tape audition.
Key Takeaways from the Conversation:
- Excellence is a Process, Perfection is an Illusion: Excellence is a journey of continuous improvement, accepting that "good enough" is sometimes necessary to maintain momentum. Perfection is a stagnant, unattainable ideal that guarantees failure.
- The Power of Lofty Goals & Realistic Expectations: Set high standards, but align your expectations with your current time, energy, and resources. This prevents perfectionism from becoming the "enemy of the good."
- Overcoming Stagnation: Ryan recounts the period when his perfectionism blocked him from even starting a passion project (his book). The path forward involved getting sober, accepting challenges as opportunities rather than threats, and learning to surrender to the process.
- More is Better than None: The principle of progress applies to everything from fitness goals to creative endeavors. Don't compare your efforts to an ideal; acknowledge that some is always better than none.
Stop letting perfectionism shoot you in the foot. Start celebrating the progress on your journey toward excellence!
📌 Episode Guide
00:00 - Intro
01:40 - Go-Karts & Jet Lag
07:38 - Perfectionism: The Double-Edged Sword
23:00 - The Imposter Syndrome Threshold
28:00 - The James Brown Influence
33:50 - Perfectionism's Rock Bottom
37:35 - The Book as an Exercise in Flow
46:15 - The "Some is Better Than None" Mindset
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