Now, I know this idea isn’t exactly hot off the press. You’re busy, living a full life, probably juggling a million things at once. Let’s be real, you’ve probably learned to kick perfectionism to the curb a while ago. This ain’t your first rodeo.
But yesterday, I got a solid reminder that “done” is always better than “perfect” – because sometimes, perfect just ain’t happening.
I was recording some content for my YouTube channel, sharing the joys of being more connected with ourselves – can’t help myself! After uploading, I realised there was a hiccup in the recording – the sound and video were having a little dance-off, but not in a good way. So, back to the editing software I went, with a mind to fix it. I reproduced the video, and guess what? The blip was still there, stubborn as ever. I’m still not sure if it was a glitch in the original recording or the editing software messing with me.
Once upon a time, I would’ve been really tempted to spend what could have easily turned into another hour on re-editing to make sure that the video was perfect. However, these days I’m pretty strategic (bloody picky!) about how I spend my time and what is worthwhile; carrying out a mini cost-benefit analysis, if you like, for various tasks and activities.
I just have to weigh up whether or not fixing that gnarled 20-second stretch of video is worth all of that time, when I could be writing an article like this and reminding you beautiful peeps about the power of what I call Good Enough.
On balance, is that video is good enough? I think so.
Would I love to have it working perfectly? Yes, I would.
Do I think the blip is going to disturb the viewers or tarnish my reputation? I think it’s unlikely.
Would I want all of my videos to be full of blips? No.
Good Enough
Embracing good enough means I will move on and let it be. It means I will post an article like this before I spend another 30 minutes finessing the language further so that I can spend that time creating or producing something else.
Of course, we want to maintain our standards. And sure, sometimes we aim to get as close to perfect as humanly possible. I mean, you’d definitely want a brain surgeon to be precise, right? And it’s pretty important that last month’s profit and loss report is accurate. Plus, who doesn’t want their poached eggs timed just right? I’ve gotta have runny yolk!
There are times when accuracy and exactness are appropriate, useful or even essential. But aiming for “perfect” 24 hours a day is a fool’s errand, resulting in so many things not getting done.
Aiming for “perfect” 24 hours a day is a fool’s errand.
Maybe it’s not getting around to planting that new garden or renovating that room because we don’t have a perfect plan yet. Or maybe it’s holding off on a new marketing strategy or product launch because everything isn’t quite perfect yet.
Sometimes it’s worth just getting it done. You can polish and tweak as you go.
We learn so much on the fly, and we can create real impact by simply taking action. Not haphazardly, of course, but with intention and purpose – and always with forward momentum.
I’ve probably said this a million times by now, but it’s about practising progress, not perfection. Chasing perfection can keep us stuck in place, but progress? Progress inherently moves us forward.
Bottom line: We’re making things happen, making a difference in the world and the world needs us. It needs you bringing your brilliance in all the ways only you can.
So now what?
How about taking two minutes to jot down the things you would’ve actually knocked off your list in the last week if you’d just gotten them done – or even just started?
What about over the last month?
The last year?
What kind of difference would that have made? For you? For your business? For the people around you?
And most importantly, what does that make you want to go do now, my friend?
Karen 😉
