--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Don't worry about achieving. Don't worry…" description: "\"Don't worry about achieving. Don't worry about perfection. Just be there each moment as best you can. When you realize you've wandered off again, simpl..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67f/pema-ch-dr-n-327_achieve_don-t-worry-about-achieving-don-t-worry_1212520.png" --- # Don't worry about achieving. Don't worry about perfection… ![“Don't worry about achieving. Don't worry about perfection. Just be there each moment as best you can. When you realize you've wandered off again, simply very lightly acknowledge that. This light touch is the golden key to reuniting with our openness.” quote by Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67f/pema-ch-dr-n-327_achieve_don-t-worry-about-achieving-don-t-worry_1212520.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67f/pema-ch-dr-n-327_achieve_don-t-worry-about-achieving-don-t-worry_1212520.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/67f/pema-ch-dr-n-327_achieve_don-t-worry-about-achieving-don-t-worry_1212520.png) > “Don't worry about achieving. Don't worry about perfection. Just be there each moment as best you can. When you realize you've wandered off again, simply very lightly acknowledge that. This light touch is the golden key to reuniting with our openness.” [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Accept imperfection and stay present; gently acknowledge when you stray, using kindness as a path back to openness. **In simple terms:** Be present, accept flaws, and kindly return to openness. Key Takeaway Practice gentle self‑compassion. Themes mindfulness imperfection self‑compassion Mood calm encouraging Type inspirational practical When to use this quote - meditation - daily reflection - mindful walking - stressful Key Concepts presence acceptance golden key Questions to Reflect On - How can you remind yourself to stay light when you err? - What daily practice helps you stay present? A Different Perspective Over‑analysis can hinder the gentle approach. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Achieve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/achieve/) [Acknowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acknowledge/) [Golden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/golden/) [Key Reuniting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/key-reuniting-3682659/) [Keys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/keys/) [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [Lightly Acknowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lightly-acknowledge-3682658/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Openness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/openness/) [Perfection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfection/) [Realizing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realizing/) [Reuniting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reuniting/) [Reuniting Openness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reuniting-openness-3682657/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Worry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worry/) [Worry Achieving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worry-achieving-487238/) ## Related quotes > [Don’t worry about achieving. Don’t worry about perfection. Just be there each moment as best you can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/don-t-worry-about-achieving-don-t-worry-about-perfection-just-be/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Don't worry about looking good - worry about achieving your goals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/don-t-worry-about-looking-good-worry-about-achieving-your-goals/) [Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/) > [You should never worry too much about achieving your goals, because in the long run you might not find yourself too happy when you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-channing/you-should-never-worry-too-much-about-achieving-your-goals-because-in/) [Chad Channing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-channing/) > [Apparently you don't have to observe the Rules of Etiquette when reuniting with a muderous spouse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-rardin/apparently-you-don-t-have-to-observe-the-rules-of-etiquette-when/) [Jennifer Rardin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-rardin/) > [I wish I could relate to the people I'm related to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-foxworthy/i-wish-i-could-relate-to-the-people-i-m-related-to/) [Jeff Foxworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-foxworthy/) > [“Apparently there were seven stages of grief but that was a neat way of putting it. 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Love is something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/people-who-love-each-other-end-up-reuniting-no-matter-how-far-apart/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Finding an old friend is like finding a lost treasure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-d-williams/finding-an-old-friend-is-like-finding-a-lost-treasure/) [Anthony D. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-d-williams/) > [Fire is the reuniting of matter with oxygen. 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Tingey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-c-tingey/) > [Reuniting with my brothers musically has been really incredible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-jonas/reuniting-with-my-brothers-musically-has-been-really-incredible/) [Joe Jonas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-jonas/) > [People wonder if its possible to meet a person, or to just read their name out loud for the first time and within those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/people-wonder-if-its-possible-to-meet-a-person-or-to-just-read-their/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Pema Chodron > [“LIFE’S work is to wake up, to let the things that enter into your life wake you up rather than put you to sleep.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/life-s-work-is-to-wake-up-to-let-the-things-that-enter-into-your-life/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Since death is certain and the time of death is uncertain, what is the most important thing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/since-death-is-certain-and-the-time-of-death-is-uncertain-what-is-the/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Buddhist words such as compassion and emptiness don't mean much until we start cultivating our innate ability simply to be there with pain with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/buddhist-words-such-as-compassion-and-emptiness-don-t-mean-much-until/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [The essence of generosity is letting go. 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Sometimes it is sweet, and sometimes it is bitter. Sometimes your body tenses, and sometimes it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/the-essence-of-life-is-that-it-s-challenging-sometimes-it-is-sweet/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [If we run a hundred miles an hour to the other end of the continent in order to get away from the obstacle, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/if-we-run-a-hundred-miles-an-hour-to-the-other-end-of-the-continent/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“But in this meditation technique, we are with the out-breath; there's no particular instruction about what to do until the next out-breath.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/but-in-this-meditation-technique-we-are-with-the-out-breath-there-s/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know. 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Trungpa Rinpoche said, “Whatever occurs in the confused mind is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/when-we-realize-that-the-path-is-the-goal-there-s-a-sense-of/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Every day is a new opportunity to work with what you have inside toward enlightenment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/every-day-is-a-new-opportunity-to-work-with-what-you-have-inside/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [If someone comes along and shoots an arrow into your heart, it’s fruitless to stand there and yell at the person. It would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/if-someone-comes-along-and-shoots-an-arrow-into-your-heart-it-s/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) [Explore all 664 Pema Chodron quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) ## More Achieve quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. 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When I read the screenplay, I knew that there would be no HD camera that could achieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deon-taylor/i-m-a-film-guy-i-love-it-when-i-read-the-screenplay-i-knew-that-there/) [Deon Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deon-taylor/) > [One achieves true human dignity only when one serves. Only he is great who subjects himself to taking part in the achievement of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-antonio-primo-de-rivera/one-achieves-true-human-dignity-only-when-one-serves-only-he-is-great/) [Jose Antonio Primo de Rivera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-antonio-primo-de-rivera/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Governments follow their people. A great deal has to do with the vision of the leadership of governments. They have a vision, and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-khurshid/governments-follow-their-people-a-great-deal-has-to-do-with-the/) [Salman Khurshid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-khurshid/) > [To achieve victory we must mass our forces at the hub of all power & movement. The enemy's 'Center of Gravity'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-achieve-victory-we-must-mass-our-forces-at-the-hub-of-all-power/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If your only goal is to become rich, you will never achieve it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-rockefeller/if-your-only-goal-is-to-become-rich-you-will-never-achieve-it/) [John D. Rockefeller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-rockefeller/) > [To achieve something you've never achieved before, you must become someone you've never been before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shubham-joshi/to-achieve-something-you-ve-never-achieved-before-you-must-become/) [Shubham Joshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shubham-joshi/) > [I've identified as bisexual since I was a teenager, and if we want to achieve equality for all in our policies, we need more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-hill/i-ve-identified-as-bisexual-since-i-was-a-teenager-and-if-we-want-to/) [Katie Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-hill/) [Browse all 6,390 Achieve quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/achieve/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Don't worry about achieving. Don't worry about perfection. Just be there each moment as best you can. 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