---
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.\" — Pema Chodron"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f1/pema-ch-dr-n-327_achieve_don-t-worry-about-achieving-don-t-worry_244108.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.” quote by Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f1/pema-ch-dr-n-327_achieve_don-t-worry-about-achieving-don-t-worry_244108.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f1/pema-ch-dr-n-327_achieve_don-t-worry-about-achieving-don-t-worry_244108.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f1/pema-ch-dr-n-327_achieve_don-t-worry-about-achieving-don-t-worry_244108.png)

> “Don’t worry about achieving. Don’t worry about perfection. Just be there each moment as best you can.”

[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.

Focus on present‑moment awareness rather than future outcomes, allowing authentic engagement.

**In simple terms:** Be present, not perfect.

Key Takeaway

Embrace each moment fully.

Themes

mindfulness presence acceptance

Mood

calm reflective

Type

inspirational mindful

When to use this quote

- daily meditation
- work tasks
- relationships
- stressful situations

Key Concepts

Buddhist practice psychological flexibility

Questions to Reflect On

- How does striving for perfection affect your daily peace?
- What small practice helps you stay present?

A Different Perspective

Perfectionism can still cause anxiety even when present‑focused.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Achieve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/achieve/) [Achieving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/achieving/) [Don Worry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/don-worry/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Perfection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfection/) [Worry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worry/) [Worry Achieving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worry-achieving-487238/) [Worry Perfection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worry-perfection-520000/)

## Related quotes

> [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/)

> [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,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/don-t-worry-about-achieving-don-t-worry-about-perfection-just-be-2/)

[Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

> [Don't ever worry about perfection; no one had made it yet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-ever-worry-about-perfection-no-one-had-made-it-yet/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [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/)

> [Meditation is not about getting out of ourselves or achieving something better. It is about getting in touch with what you already are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/meditation-is-not-about-getting-out-of-ourselves-or-achieving/)

[Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

> [“Someone who cannot abandon everything cannot achieve anything.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/armin-arlet-shingeki-no-kyojin/someone-who-cannot-abandon-everything-cannot-achieve-anything/)

[Armin Arlet Shingeki no Kyojin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/armin-arlet-shingeki-no-kyojin/)

> [Create a dream and give it everything you have, you could be surprised just how much you are capable of achieving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-henderson/create-a-dream-and-give-it-everything-you-have-you-could-be-surprised/)

[Sara Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-henderson/)

> [Don't be afraid to dream of achieving the impossible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shalane-flanagan/don-t-be-afraid-to-dream-of-achieving-the-impossible/)

[Shalane Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shalane-flanagan/)

> [Achieving climate security must be the core of foreign policy. All of us have to pick up the pace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-beckett/achieving-climate-security-must-be-the-core-of-foreign-policy-all-of/)

[Margaret Beckett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-beckett/)

> [Today I know that there is still work to be done, but along the way I am achieving my dreams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candace-parker/today-i-know-that-there-is-still-work-to-be-done-but-along-the-way-i/)

[Candace Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candace-parker/)

> [It is nice to be recognised for actually achieving something in life as opposed to spending seven weeks in a house on TV with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wiggins/it-is-nice-to-be-recognised-for-actually-achieving-something-in-life/)

[Bradley Wiggins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wiggins/)

> [There is no substitute for hard work when it comes to achieving success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-bresch/there-is-no-substitute-for-hard-work-when-it-comes-to-achieving/)

[Heather Bresch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-bresch/)

> [There's nothing better than achieving your goals, whatever they might be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paloma-faith/there-s-nothing-better-than-achieving-your-goals-whatever-they-might/)

[Paloma Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paloma-faith/)

> [Have dreams/goals and never quit working toward achieving them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rodriguez/have-dreams-goals-and-never-quit-working-toward-achieving-them/)

[Adam Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rodriguez/)

> [My whole life, I've wanted things before I was ready. I was always pushing for the next job, the next success. I was so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-duchovny/my-whole-life-i-ve-wanted-things-before-i-was-ready-i-was-always/)

[David Duchovny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-duchovny/)

## 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. Pain is always a sign that we are holding on to something - usually ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/the-essence-of-generosity-is-letting-go-pain-is-always-a-sign-that-we/)

[Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

> [“If the object of meditation were something concrete, something solid and graspable - an image or a statue or a dot on the floor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/if-the-object-of-meditation-were-something-concrete-something-solid/)

[Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

> [It's a transformative experience to simply pause instead of immediately fill up the space. By waiting, we begin to connect with fundamental restlessness as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/it-s-a-transformative-experience-to-simply-pause-instead-of/)

[Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

> [“The essence of life is that it’s challenging. 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. Nothing ever really attacks us except our own confusion. Perhaps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/nothing-ever-goes-away-until-it-has-taught-us-what-we-need-to-know/)

[Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

> [So even if the hot loneliness is there, and for 1.6 seconds we sit with that restlessness when yesterday we couldn't sit for even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/so-even-if-the-hot-loneliness-is-there-and-for-1-6-seconds-we-sit/)

[Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

> [If you have rage and righteously act it out and blame it all on others, it's really you who suffers. The other people and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/if-you-have-rage-and-righteously-act-it-out-and-blame-it-all-on/)

[Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

> [“When we realize that the path is the goal, there’s a sense of workability. 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. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/)

[Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/)

> [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/)

[Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/)

> [I love playing for my country, getting the support. Especially for the kids and everybody, showing my example of what I can achieve so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-sharapova/i-love-playing-for-my-country-getting-the-support-especially-for-the/)

[Maria Sharapova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-sharapova/)

> [Human beings have an innate inner drive to be autonomous, self-determined, and connected to one another. And when that drive is liberated, people achieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/human-beings-have-an-innate-inner-drive-to-be-autonomous-self/)

[Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/)

> [Focus on becoming more to achieve more while doing less](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/focus-on-becoming-more-to-achieve-more-while-doing-less/)

[Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/)

> [I hope that the Palestinians don't make the mistake of unleashing a new intifada. They've tried it twice before, and the consequences were bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-segev/i-hope-that-the-palestinians-don-t-make-the-mistake-of-unleashing-a/)

[Tom Segev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-segev/)

> [I'm a film guy. I love it. 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 &amp; 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.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Pema Chodron"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/don-t-worry-about-achieving-don-t-worry-about-perfection-just-be/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Achieve"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/don-t-worry-about-achieving-don-t-worry-about-perfection-just-be/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f1/pema-ch-dr-n-327_achieve_don-t-worry-about-achieving-don-t-worry_244108.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f1/pema-ch-dr-n-327_achieve_don-t-worry-about-achieving-don-t-worry_244108.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f1/pema-ch-dr-n-327_achieve_don-t-worry-about-achieving-don-t-worry_244108.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Don’t worry about achieving. Don’t worry about perfection. Just be there each moment as best you can.” — Pema Chodron",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Pema Chodron",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Don’t worry about achieving. Don’t worry...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/don-t-worry-about-achieving-don-t-worry-about-perfection-just-be/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/don-t-worry-about-achieving-don-t-worry-about-perfection-just-be/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
