I have often let perfect be the enemy of good.
I’ll plan for hours, days, weeks. The ideas flow. What if I did this? I could add that. Here’s an entirely new thing I should look at.
I’ll create a plan that would take a team of 10 people a year or two of full time work to complete. And then I’ll get overwhelmed by the amount of effort it would take, how little progress a single task would make, and set it aside, defeated.
Ideation is great. But it doesn’t get things done.
Execution is what matters. The best idea in the world has no impact if no one executes on it.
The Perfection Paradox
Perfectionism is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, striving for perfection means we’re putting out the best quality work we’re capable of. That’s admirable.
On the other hand, it can often be used as a form of procrastination, a way to feel productive without actually ever finishing a project. I’ve been guilty of this – often without being aware of it.
When it comes down to it, the most successful people aren’t those who hold out for perfection, but those who are relentless in their pursuit of progress.
Embracing the “Good Enough” Mindset
This. Is tough for me. It goes against how I’ve approached almost everything in life. But as I’ve dug myself further into a cycle of perfection seeking without action, I’ve found this is really the only way forward.
So here it is:
The Good Enough Mindset isn’t about mediocrity. It’s about momentum.
It’s a tool for breaking the cycle of procrastination and perfectionism.
It doesn’t mean that you’re not going to make something great. It means that you’re giving yourself the space to not have to knock it out of the park on the first try. It’s the realization that creating something is better than nothing, and that once we have something, we’ll keep making it better and better until it’s as good as we can make it.
Here’s how to begin applying this mindset immediately:
1. Set Realistic Goals
Break down projects into smaller, achievable tasks. This makes the process less daunting and helps build momentum.
My tool of choice for this is ToDoist, an excellent to do app.
2. Focus on the 80/20 Rule
Take some time to identify the 20% of your efforts the produce 80% of the results. Focus on these tasks and don’t get bogged down by the details.
3. Practice Self-Compassion
I think perfectionism often goes hand in hand with self-flagellation. You do something wrong (or not quite right) and that voice in your head tells you just how dumb you were and how pointless it is for you to be even trying.
Understand that mistakes are part of the process. They’re not just inevitable; they’re invaluable learning opportunities. Reframe your “failures” as opportunities to improve and you’ll be well on your way to making even your biggest mishaps into successes.
Failure is the Stepping Stone to Success
Ideas need testing. You’re never going to find out what works unless you try. And that means failing. Maybe a lot.
You need to be willing to fail. You don’t need to fail big. You can take calculated risks; but you need to take them.
I have not failed, I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.
Thomas Edison
The Power of Starting
Starting is the most significant step you can take towards achieving your goals. It’s the act of starting that shifts you from thinking to doing. Once you’re in motion, you’ll find that your path becomes clearer, and adjustments can be made along the way.
Strategies for Taking the Leap
Just start something. It doesn’t have to be the perfect first step. The important thing is moving forward.
Set a timer. Give yourself a limited amount of time to work on a task. You’ll be surprised at how much you can accomplish when you’re on the clock. Make sure to turn on focus mode on your phone so you don’t get distracted.
Build accountability. Share your goals with someone you trust. Knowing that someone else is expecting results can propel you into action.
Start Now
I’ve been looking backward a lot and wishing “if only I’d started that 5 years ago”. There are ideas I had in 2015 that I never executed on, which have since been validated as high profit businesses. If I’d been doing them even with the most basic amount of consistency for the past 9 years, I can only imagine where they would be today.
That work compounds. But only if you do it.
The journey toward any goal is inherently imperfect. The stories we admire most are those of struggle, of trial and error, and of eventual triumph. By starting, by embracing the ‘good enough,’ you’re not just moving closer to your goals—you’re learning, growing, and becoming more resilient.
So, take that first step. Don’t wait for the perfect moment; it doesn’t exist.
The right time is now, and it’s time to get started.