Strive For Progress, Not Perfection

Good enough is better than perfect

There can be enormous practical upside to a good enough mentality: It wards off perfectionism’s destructive mental effects, including stress, worry, intolerance, envy, dissatisfaction, exhaustion, and self-judgment. A less-neurotic brain has helped our species thrive in life’s punch and wobble, which demands workable plans that can be flexed, via feedback, on the fly. - From the wired article “Optimizing Machines Is Perilous. Consider ‘Creatively Adequate’ AI.”

Strive For Progress, Not Perfection

Having high standards and an eye for detail has great value. Constantly seeking perfection does not.

Remember that every step taken towards achieving your goals is a step in the right direction, even if it’s only tiny and imperfect. It’s all about progress.

Trying to be a perfectionist can be a confidence killer

On the surface, perfectionism might seem like a sign of high self-confidence. After all, striving for the best in everything you do should be a good thing, right?

However, the constant need for perfection can actually be an indication of low self-confidence. It often stems from a fear of making mistakes, a fear of criticism, or a fear of not being good enough.

Perfectionism can lead to procrastination, burnout, and immense pressure that can paralyze you from taking action.

Remember, it’s okay to make mistakes. In fact, mistakes are opportunities for growth and learning. Embrace them. Aim for progress, not perfection. That’s the real path to success and self-confidence.

Value of Small Wins

Progress, not perfection.

For in a large corporation, where projects are often long, complex, and involve many, many people, the going is often slow. There’s much opportunity for progress and little opportunity for perfection.

While perfectionism can at times be a powerful engine for accomplishment, it can also be a fast road to frustration.

In a high-pressure business environment, managers who constantly demand perfection tend to alienate employees.

Similarly, employees who need everything to be perfect tend to alienate themselves.

Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.

Good managers appreciate small wins and recognize that important daily progress often comes in small increments.

Good managers recognize that too much perfection can slow things down and lead to more imperfect results.

Sometimes it’s fine to be satisfied with plain old progress.