“What Got You Here Won’t Get You There”
Hi friend,
“What got you here won’t get you there.”
This was the hard truth that finally prompted me—and so many of the high-achievers I work with—to open myself to the possibility that the perfectionism that once fueled my success (or at least seemed to) might now be holding me back.
It’s also the theme I explore in my recent think piece, “What Got You Here Won’t Get You There: Permission to Ditch Perfectionism and Start Doing It Your Way,” published in Deborah Farone’s outstanding new book, Breaking Ground: How Successful Women Lawyers Build Thriving Practices.
Deborah’s book draws on more than 60 in-depth interviews with women rainmakers, firm leaders, and experts across the globe to uncover how successful women lawyers actually build sustainable, values-aligned practices: through relationships, authenticity, and intentional strategy—not performative hustle or burnout.
In my piece, I reflect on a pattern I’ve seen time and again:
The perfectionist approach that helps people excel early in their careers often becomes a liability as they step into leadership, visibility, and business development.
This is because fear-based striving fuels over-preparation, people-pleasing, and self-silencing—exactly the opposite of what’s required to build trust, connection, and a thriving book of business.
Empowered leadership and sustainable success, on the other hand, require something different and far less cookie-cutter: the courage to practice self-compassion, adopt a growth mindset, harness your core values, and show up as yourself.
If you’ve been wearing your perfectionism as a badge of honor—or waiting to feel more “ready,” credentialed, or perfect before putting yourself out there—please consider this your permission slip to begin now, authentically and on your own terms.
You can read my piece—and access a 20% discount code to buy Breaking Ground, which I highly recommend!—here.
And if you feel like you could use support taking the courageous steps necessary to rein in your perfectionism, please do not hesitate to reach out.
In the meanwhile, know that I am rooting for you!
With love,
Jordana
