From the Slopes to the Sales Floor: Why Progress Beats Perfection Every Time

If you’d told me a few years ago I’d be back skiing after two major hip operations, I probably would’ve laughed. Or cried. Or both.

I was in New Zealand when it all started.

I’d strapped on my skis like I had a hundred times before, but something felt off.

My leg was giving me problems in a way that wasn’t quite normal.

Fast-forward to the diagnosis: major hip issues. And the verdict? Surgery. Twice.

What followed was rehab. A LOT of rehab.

There was also frustration, some tears and learning to slow down. (Which, if you know me, is not my default setting.)

But last week, I was back in New Zealand and back on the slopes.

I wasn’t fast, I wasn’t fancy, but I was there.

And as my confidence grew, I even picked up some speed.

It wasn’t perfect—but it was progress.

And that is worth celebrating.

Because here’s the truth: life (and business) won’t always go to plan.

You’ll have setbacks, both personal and professional.

You’ll get injured.

You’ll lose a listing you thought you had in the bag.

A team member might quit.

A deal might fall over at the finish line.

And some days, you’ll feel like you’re moving so slowly that you’ll never reach your goals.

But you will. If you keep going.

We’re so wired to chase perfection that we forget how powerful progress is.

But the agents I see grow the most aren’t the ones who chase the shiniest goals or the most awards.

They’re the ones who keep showing up, even when it’s hard, even when it’s slow, even when it’s not Instagram-perfect.

They keep turning up to their open homes, improving their listing presentations, investing in themselves, getting up earlier, tweaking their systems, refining their branding.

They keep learning, improving, and building momentum.

It’s not flashy. But it works.

And it’s not just about persistence in your business. It’s about looking after you, too.

Throughout my recovery, I had to rest more. Listen to my body more. Say ‘no’ more often.

And honestly, it made me a better business owner.

Because when you’re forced to slow down, you learn what actually matters.

You learn to protect your energy, your wellbeing, and your time.

So many of us try to do everything.

We want to prove ourselves. We want to smash ceilings.

But you don’t have to burn out to build a brilliant business.

You just have to keep moving forward, one small, consistent step at a time.

So if you’re in a rough patch right now - whether you’re rebuilding your team, recovering from burnout, juggling parenting, or just trying to get back your mojo - I want you to hear this:

You are doing great. You are making progress. And that’s more than enough.

Skiing has taught me a lot, but the biggest lesson has been that you don’t have to be the fastest on the mountain. You just have to stay on the slope.

So here’s to slow starts, shaky steps, and the sweet confidence that comes when you just keep going.

Whether you're hitting the slopes or the sales floor, remember: perfection is a myth - but progress will always get you to the top.

Ready to make progress? If you’re ready to build a rockstar team, scale your business or grow your personal brand, I’d love to help. I offer one-on-one coaching for high-performance agents and leaders, and I’ve just launched The EBU Ministry for principals looking to scale sustainably.

You can chat to me about 1:1 coaching here, or register your early interest in my new course, The EBU Ministry- designed to help you build a high-performing team and a business that truly shines.