Be Careful About Perfection

Do you have a tendency toward perfection?

I'm all about quality. As a basically analytical personality I strive constantly for perfection. The trouble I run into is that it isn't usually necessary to achieve perfection. Insisting on re-doing and revising repeatedly in pursuit of perfection can keep me from finishing something important.

I've learned to be careful about perfection.

My acting coach, Brian McCulley has a favorite expression "Done is better than perfect".

Maybe not always - but usually.

I've learned to move forward. To keep doing. And to finish. Things can usually be revised later, but it pays to get them done.

In many of my workshops I ask my participants to invent a game. The game has only two criteria for success: it much help us learn something about the workshop content, and it must be fun. It does not need to perfect. There isn't really any way the games they invent could be perfect. But they are fun, and they produce learning. It's amazing how creative people can get when they let go of the drive toward perfection.

Oh, I do want perfection in some things. And, I do continue to work to make things as perfect as possible. But, I've learned that perfection is a moving target. We don't even get close to the bulls eye until we send our arrows flying. Move forward. Work hard, Stay curious and creative, and put something out there.

Insisting on perfection will drastically reduce your choices.

And choices keep us growing.

What can you finish today that does not need to be perfect?

-- Doug Smith

Front Range Leadership: Training Supervisors for Success

doug smith training: how to achieve your goals

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