When perfections steals your joy.

How many times have you walked into the ring with a process goal in mind — “connect,” “commit to my rituals,” “breathe”? And yet, when the run is over, the first thing you measure is the outcome: did we Q?

This is one of the biggest mindset traps in dog sports. We say we’re focused on the process, but the green ribbon still feels like the only measure of success. And when perfection becomes the standard, joy and learning disappear.

The trap of perfection and Q-driven thinking

It’s easy to see how we get here. Titles, ribbons, and Qs are tangible proof that we’re “good enough.” The culture of clean runs makes it seem like anything less is failure.

But here’s the problem: when Qs are the only definition of success, even great runs can feel disappointing if the ribbon doesn’t follow. Conversely, we’ve all had a messy run that somehow Q’d — and we walked away knowing it wasn’t our best work.

That’s the danger of Q-driven thinking: it shrinks our definition of success until nothing feels satisfying.

Growth-driven goals and the long game

There’s another way to think about goals — one that relieves the pressure and actually builds more consistency: growth-driven goals.

Q-driven goals patch together success for today. Growth-driven goals build success for the long term.

When you play the long game, every run becomes an investment in your future team. That bar knock today? It might be the feedback that sharpens your timing six months from now. That missed contact? It’s data you’ll use to strengthen your training plan.

Growth-driven goals expand what counts as success:

• Handling a tough sequence better than last time.
• Seeing your dog more confident in the ring, even if you NQ.
• Staying committed to your pre-run routine under pressure.

Those are the wins that stack up into true consistency. And here’s the kicker: by focusing on growth, the Qs come more often — because you’re building the foundation that produces them.

How to shift out of perfection pressure

If you’ve been stuck in the “Q or nothing” mindset, here are some ways to reset:

• Redefine success: include growth and learning, not just outcome.
• Reflect honestly: use your Dogged planner or a journal to track patterns over time.
• Pair goals: it’s fine to want the Q — but add a growth goal alongside it (“handle this line with confidence,” “stick to my mental prep routine”).
• Zoom out: ask, “How will this help us six months from now?” instead of “Did we Q today?”
• Debrief after runs: replace “Did I Q?” with “What did I learn?”

Playing the long game

Chasing Qs is natural — we’re competitors, after all. But perfection shouldn’t be the only story you tell yourself about success. The real magic is in growth, learning, and enjoying the journey with your dog.

Qs are milestones. Growth is the legacy you and your dog build together. And when you choose to play the long game, you’ll find more joy, more resilience, and — yes — more Qs along the way.