Organized by Design

In Pursuit of "Perfect"

There's a quote I read within the last six months that I love:

"Good enough and done is better than perfect and none."

 I wish I knew who to credit as it is so simple, yet so unbelievably brilliant.

How many times have you put off starting or finishing something because you wanted it to be just perfect?  How many times have you then had to "just get it done" because you had a deadline (or some other impetus), even though you knew it wasn't going to be perfect?  Now, how many times has that "just get it done" mentality actually turned out to produce perfectly acceptable results?  I'd say the ratio is, at worst, 90% /10% in favor of the results being imperfect, yet perfectly acceptable. 

So, what does this mean?

Think about all of those unfinished or not yet started items on your task list(s).  How many are you putting off because you believe you don't yet have what you need to do them perfectly?  Now, how many of those items could currently be started and completed with perfectly acceptable results, even if they will not be perfect?  (Be honest.)

If that isn't enough to convince you, consider this.  When you have, on rare occasion, found a perfect solution, for how long did it actually remain perfect?  How long was it before you realized you needed or wanted something smaller/bigger/faster/slower/brighter/more efficient or just plain better?  I bet it didn't take very long before that perfect thing seemed, well, imperfect.  Given that, does waiting for perfect even make sense?  What are you trading off while you wait for perfect?  (i.e. What is the opportunity cost of perfect?)

While, it is a good thing to try to do/be the best that one can, or purchase the best product one can buy, we have to learn to distinguish for ourselves between wanting to do/be/buy the best and striving for perfect.  I struggle with this as well, so I have begun to say the above quote to myself at least once a day.  Thus far it has been a helpful reminder to look for perfectly acceptable instead of perfect, and I have been able to get a lot more done.

Links for Grads Headed Off to College (and the Parents Who Love Them)

Heading off to college is both an exciting and terrifying undertaking.  I think this is safe to say for both the student and the family members.  Though my heading off to college was a much less momentous occasion than the oft portrayed experience of packing up Mom and Dad's SUV or (gasp) station wagon and heading out on the open road toward life on a university campus far from home, I have come across a few sites that have some great information about both the move itself and setting up a dorm room (or part of one as is often the case). 

Container Store Page Dedicated to the Recent Graduate  (the lower left corner of the page has links to a handy checklist as well as other great information)

SallieMae College Answer Page (advice from other students about the transition to college)

Tips from another Pro Organizer on Moving to College (some great stuff here, plus additional links at the end)

Here's some Advice for the Parents from About.com.

And here are a three tips from me:

1) Keep track of your accomplishments.  This is beyond grades.  Keep track of those activities you participate in that demonstrate qualities employers will desire - leadership, ability to prioritize and juggle multiple projects, etc.  Document them somewhere you can access them when the time comes.  This will help you with internship applications, as well.

2) Be very careful about your online profile. (Facebook, My Space, Twitter, etc.)  Hiring managers and internship coordinators WILL look you up on the internet.  Michael Phelps ring a bell?  Search Engines have a LONG memory.

3) If you don't have them now, study habits and time management skills are paramount.  They can mean the difference between a pleasant experience and one you'd rather forget.  If you don't yet know about David Allen's productivity system "Getting Things Done" (GTD), here is a pretty good summation that is geared toward students.  (Courtesy of the Study Hacks blog)

As for how to get along with a roommate whose idea of Biology 101 is the fuzzy growth that lives in his empty beer cans...I'm afraid you're on your own.