Consistency Over Perfection: Outrunning The Bear Without Being Perfect

Welcome to The Resilient Life! In this blog post, we delve into real stories of resilience, growth, and the journey to getting back up when life knocks you down.

Today, we focus on Susan, a remarkable woman who transformed her health by embracing the idea that perfection isn't necessary. Instead, it's about making small, sustainable steps to outrun the metaphorical bear.

Picture this: Susan, 53, juggling a demanding job, family responsibilities, and the gnawing feeling that her wellbeing has taken a backseat. Stress, fatigue, and self-doubt were constant companions. She had tried intense diets and gruelling workout plans, but each effort ended in burnout after a week of all-or-nothing striving.

The Roadblock of Perfectionism

For many, perfectionism becomes a real obstacle to progress. When Susan and I began working together, she was overwhelmed, feeling as though her health goals were buried under the pressure of needing to do everything perfectly. I introduced her to a mindset I call "running from the bear."

The Running from the Bear Mindset

You don't need to be the fastest runner to escape danger, just a little quicker than the slowest. In life, this means you don't need to be perfect to build resilience. You just need to start from where you are and aim for 1% better each day.

Starting with Small Steps

We began with Susan playing what I call the "0% game," shifting her perspective. Imagine 0% health as being bedridden or worse. It sounds grim, but it helped Susan realize she wasn't starting from zero. Her occasional walks and home-cooked meals were already victories.

Implementing Tiny Changes

Our first step was simple: swapping an afternoon Diet Coke for water on three days of the week. No drastic diets, no marathon training—just one durable change. I encouraged her to act in five-minute bursts, whether it was a short walk during lunch or a few minutes around the block.

Celebrating the Small Wins

I reminded Susan to start where she was, use what she had, and do what she could. These small actions felt manageable, and Susan began to see herself as someone capable of outrunning the bear without having to sprint. Over the weeks, small wins accumulated. She added stretches before bed and swapped processed snacks for fruit.

The Importance of Consistency

When things got tough, such as during a stressful week, Susan didn't spiral. She played the 0% game again, asking herself, "What's one thing I can do today?" We celebrated every step, no matter how small. A year of "good enough" beats a week of perfection followed by burnout.

Progress Beyond the Scale

We didn't track Susan's progress by the scale. Instead, we focused on how she felt—more energy, better sleep, less guilt. By the third month, Susan was walking 20 minutes daily, drinking water consistently, and trying a weekly yoga class. She wasn't a fitness model, and she didn't need to be. She was building resilience and creating habits that fit her busy life.

Susan's Quiet Confidence

Susan's breakthrough wasn't a Hollywood montage. It was the quiet confidence of knowing she could keep going. Her bear—stress and self-doubt—felt further away. She told me, "I'm not perfect, but I'm outrunning it, and that's enough."

The Takeaway: Progress Over Perfection

Susan's journey proves that resilience isn't about dramatic transformations. It's about starting small, staying steady, and letting go of the "perfect day" myth. Start where you are. A five-minute walk, a glass of water, a moment to breathe, and ask, "What's one thing I can do today?" Celebrate the small wins because they compound. When you slip, don't beat yourself up. Just get back to outrunning that bear, one step at a time.

Conclusion

Thank you for joining us for this episode of The Resilient Life. If Susan's story resonated with you, try the 0% game this week and think about one small action to move toward your goals. Let us know how it goes! If you enjoyed this post, please share it with someone who might need a nudge to start outrunning their bear. Until next time, keep showing up, keep moving forward, and stay resilient.

Chris Deavin

Accountability & Behavioural Health Coach