We all want to be perfect at what we do. And making something perfect could mean working on it forever and never releasing it.
But more often than not, that perfectionism is really just procrastination in disguise. After all, if we’re never quite ready to start because we’re waiting for everything to be perfect, we’ll never actually get anything done! And that’s why perfect is the enemy of done – because the truth is, nothing is ever going to be perfect. There will always be something that could be improved upon or changed.
So do we wait around forever, trying to make something perfect that will never see the light of day?
Nope, instead of striving for perfection, focus on doing the actual thing. Doesn’t matter how little of it you do, doesn’t matter if you do a pathetic job, just do it.
Rarely anyone starts out as a genus in their field. In the words of Tom Bilyeu, to be good at it, be bad at it first.
Remember – Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly.
When completing the entire unit seems too much, studying the first page is good. If 10,000 steps seem daunting, 500 steps are a win. After coming back from a party if you’re too tired to brush your teeth, rinse your mouth is enough. A small step is still a step.
The only way to get better at something is to do it, and the more you do it, the better you’ll get. Start today, and be bad at it. It’s the only way to become great.
Recap for memory:
- Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly
- To be good at it, be bad at it first.
- Perfectionism is really just procrastination in disguise.
P. S. Yes, anything worth doing is worth doing well, but when you don’t have it in you to do it well, doing it poorly is the best thing you can do. You’re doing the best you can do in the moment.
This post is inspired by this pin.