Consistent Effort > Elusive Perfectionism
The trap of waiting for the perfect moment
Perfectionism carries a tempting promise. It whispers that if we just plan a little more, wait for just the right moment, or find the flawless approach, we will create something magnificent without any mistakes.
But this pursuit of a flawless outcome usually leads to the opposite of what we want: it leads to inaction. The fear of not being perfect keeps us from starting at all.
What if we traded the pursuit of perfection for the practice of consistent, daily effort?
Consistent effort is a commitment to the process of doing, with the understanding that learning and improvement happen through imperfect action in the real world.
When we prioritize consistent daily effort, we get to:
- Build Momentum: Small, imperfect steps create a forward motion that perfectionism stalls. A single line of code/prose written today is infinitely more valuable than the perfect app/book that exists only in our mind.
- Create Learning Opportunities: We can start learning from our imperfect work as soon as others have a chance to engage with it, and give us feedback.
- Lower the Pressure: The pressure to be perfect is immense. The pressure to simply show up and put in a consistent effort for a few hours (or even a few minutes) is manageable. This makes it easier to start and to keep going.
- Develop Resilience: Perfectionism is brittle; it shatters at the first sign of a flaw. Consistency is resilient; it teaches us to adapt, revise, and continue moving forward even when things don't go as expected.
Perfectionism is fixated on an idealized final product. Consistent action finds value in the real, evolving process that leads to lifelong growth.
In what one area are you waiting for 'perfect' before you begin, and what one tiny, imperfect step could you take today to get started?
In process,
/rajesh