Tracks in the Snow: A Reflection on Perfectionism and Progress

In recent days, it has snowed several times. The temperatures have dropped significantly, and even the lowlands were covered in snow. It was time to start the new winter season.

In the morning, the air was biting cold. In the distance, the mountains were bathed in a pink hue, hidden behind a few morning clouds. A natural spectacle. But there wasn’t much time to admire it — otherwise, one would quickly freeze.

So, I started out with snowshoes, making my way up between the hills. As the first one of the day, and with no other tracks ahead of me, I had the privilege of setting a new path. There were no existing tracks; I was free to choose the best route for me.

It was quiet all around. After a while, I found my rhythm, observing the distant mountains now basking in full sunshine. Soon, as I neared a hut, a skier caught up with me. Passing me by, he seemed to follow my trail, heading towards the summit. He had started later than I did, but clearly, my trail helped him progress faster. Skiing generally goes faster than snowshoeing, and the additional track I had set had only sped him up further.

I’m sure he reached the summit. Then, I faced a choice: should I benefit from his trail or continue to set my own? I chose the latter. Why, when it would take longer? First, I don’t like to trample on ski tracks. Additionally, I sometimes tend to be a perfectionist and prefer to do everything myself, from A to Z. It may be good for my conditioning as a training exercise, but it doesn’t help me progress faster or reach the same summit. It only fuels my hunger for more.

From my own experience, I know that I typically reach this same summit only when I take advantage of the trails others already set, allowing me to progress more quickly. This leaves me enough time and energy to get to the top — and then back down safely in time.

What’s better? Empowering others to reach the summit, even if it means I don’t make it myself and have to forget the summit? Does my perfectionism hinder me from achieving my goals? The glory goes to others, while I remain in the background — unseen, unnoticed. What’s the point of this perfectionism, other than feeding my ego? My hunger for more remains.

Others benefit from my tracks, building on them and getting to their goal faster. What if I also allowed myself to use the paths already laid? What if that gave me a better chance of achieving something? The summit of visibility, recognition, something not everyone gets. Only those who are skilled at building on the work of others, because they see what’s worth following.

That’s how it has always been. Earlier thinkers, scientists, and other innovators gained insights, and this knowledge became the foundation for those who came later. They refined it and passed on the gains. No one invents the wheel from scratch. Instead, they build on previous inventions, knowledge, and experience.

It actually sounds normal to use existing tracks…