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