It’s great that you set the bar high. You’re not one for ‘walking projects,’ last-minute submissions, or half-baked results. Aiming for perfection? Totally respectable! But let’s unpack a truth that will save you time, energy, and countless stress-filled nights: striving for perfection can sometimes trap you in a cycle of incompletion. When everything has to be flawless, the finish line feels like it keeps moving further and further away.
The High Standards Trap
Setting high standards isn’t inherently bad. In fact, it often means you’re passionate, invested, and conscientious. However, there’s a difference between setting ambitious goals and constantly moving those goals because they’re never quite “perfect.” When you aim too high, you risk paralyzing yourself, hovering endlessly in the world of “not good enough yet.” If you’ve ever found yourself endlessly redoing the details, trying to perfect every element, then you know this trap well.
Perfect vs. Done
Understanding the difference between “good enough” and “perfect” is crucial to moving forward in your career. “Good enough” doesn’t mean low effort, and it certainly doesn’t mean careless. It means the project fulfills its purpose—it’s useful, it works, and it meets the requirements. Perfection, on the other hand, is an elusive goal. By the time you’re close to your current idea of perfect, your knowledge and experience will have evolved, and that version of “perfect” might already seem lacking. That’s not growth—it’s a moving target you’ll chase endlessly without ever really reaching.
The Value of Missing the Mark
Sometimes, a project needs to be seen, critiqued, and tested in the real world to reach its true potential. This means releasing it—even if it’s not perfect. Perfection is something you chase after when there’s no room for error. In the real world, however, hitting 90% of your goal can provide more value than endlessly holding out for the unattainable 100%. When you share your work, you gain insight, feedback, and unexpected opportunities for improvement.
Iteration Over Stagnation
The key to growth lies in iteration, not stagnation. Releasing projects and moving on to the next, rather than endlessly tweaking, lets you evolve faster. Think of every project as part of your journey. Each one is a stepping stone that brings new skills, understanding, and confidence. When you focus on iteration, every project moves you forward, no matter its imperfections.
Perfectionism in a Team Setting
In team projects, perfectionism can affect more than just your own progress—it can slow down everyone. Your standards might lead you to take on more than your share, refusing to let anyone else contribute because “they might not do it right.” Or, you might be constantly editing work that’s already up to par in the eyes of your team and stakeholders. This undermines trust and creates bottlenecks. Real teamwork means trusting others’ capabilities, even if they don’t match your personal definition of perfect.
The Opportunity Cost of Perfection
While you’re striving for perfection, opportunities pass by. Time is a limited resource, and every hour spent trying to push something from 95% to 100% could be used on other valuable projects or learning new skills. Missing out on these opportunities is the hidden cost of perfectionism. By prioritizing completion over perfection, you open the door to a broader range of experiences and achievements.
Redefine Perfection as Progress
Instead of a perfect outcome, focus on what you learn from each project. Embrace “perfection” as constant growth. By completing a project and accepting its flaws, you’re creating a version of success that propels you forward. This redefined version of perfection is one where each milestone builds on the last, and every outcome—perfect or not—is a new opportunity to improve.
Be Willing to Let Go
Letting go of perfection doesn’t mean lowering your standards. It means recognizing when something meets its purpose and moving on with confidence. This is not an abandonment of quality; it’s a commitment to progress. Accept that every project has limits and that completing one is a stepping stone to the next, more refined project.
Closing Thought
“High standards drive you, but remember: completion creates impact.”