I Didn’t Achieve 100% - And That’s Okay

For the longest time, I used to beat myself up for not hitting 100% of my goals. We have all been there. I thought success meant achieving everything I wrote down - every target, every milestone, every dream. But here’s the truth I learned: I didn’t achieve 100%. And yet, I achieved more than I ever would have without writing things down.

A very bubbly, young girl Mallory Rowan said, if you didn't hit a 100%, did you hit 20%? That is achievement too. Did a bulb light?

Why Writing It Down Matters

Once I started putting my goals on paper, something shifted. Suddenly, my dreams weren’t just floating in my head - they had form, they had direction.

Writing them down gave me clarity. It helped me plan better, see the steps I needed to take, and build a path forward.

Did I hit all of them? No. But I did hit some. And that made all the difference.

The Power of Partial Wins

Maybe I didn’t get 100%, but I did get 20–30%. And here’s the thing: 20–30% is infinitely better than 0%.

If I hadn’t set those goals, if I hadn’t written them down, if I hadn’t even tried… those wins wouldn’t exist. And then you improve with greater clarity.

It’s easy to focus on what we didn’t achieve, but the quiet truth is this: progress is progress. Every step forward counts.

Looking Back in Awe

One of the most joyful things I’ve done is keeping a record of my wins - even the small ones.

Because at the end of the year, when you flip back through those notes, you’ll be amazed. So many little things you forgot about. So many quiet victories that added up to something big. And in that moment, you’ll realize just how far you’ve come.

5 Takeaways to Remember

• Write your goals down. Dreams become clearer when you put them on paper.

• Partial progress is still progress. Even 1% is better than 0%.

• Celebrate the wins you do achieve. They add up over time.

• Don’t be hard on yourself. Missing 100% doesn’t mean failure - it means growth in progress.

• Keep a record. Looking back at your journey will fill you with pride and gratitude.

Remember: Success isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress, persistence, and the courage to keep showing up. One day, you’ll look back and realize the steps you thought were small were actually the ones that carried you the farthest.