Do you ever have an idea for something…but you just can’t get yourself to take action on it? Maybe it’s because it’s not a fully formed idea yet. Or maybe it’s because you don’t think you’ll do a good job if you start it now.
Believe me. I get it.
I can’t tell you how many different ideas I’ve had that I’ve never taken action on.
Why?
It’s simple. It’s because it wasn’t done. In other words, I only had part of an idea. For example, I’d have an idea for part of a blog post, but wouldn’t be sure exactly what else would go in it. Or I’d have an idea for a product but only one part of it, and not the whole thing. It wasn’t fully formed in my mind. It was just the spark of something. The beginning.
So instead of starting on what I DID know and go from there, I would wait. What was I waiting for? For the rest of the idea to “come to me,” of course. Do you know when that would happen? Almost never. And therefore, many of my ideas would just sit in my head…waiting. Nothing would get done. All of these awesome thoughts (at least to me)…wasted.
I’m here to tell you that getting something done is better than waiting for it to be perfect. As I’m sure you already know, there is no such thing as perfect. None of us are perfect, no matter how much we try to be. Plus, just because you finish something doesn’t mean you can’t ever go back to it. In fact, you can make changes whenever you want. Get it (whatever it is – a product, a blog post, etc…) done first. Then you can go back and make it better if you’re not happy with it.
There’s a good chance that once you’re spending time on it, you’ll be happy with what you end up with. You’ll be content and want to leave it the way it is. And if not? Then set a time a few hours (or days or weeks) later to go back to it and look at it again with fresh eyes.
The key is to take action. Taking the first step, however small, sets the momentum in motion. It’s much easier to improve something that’s already in progress than to perfect an idea that’s only in your head. Action breeds clarity and progress. Once you start, you’ll often find that the rest of the idea begins to take shape naturally.
Think about it this way: a finished project, even if it’s not perfect, can still provide value, help others, and move you forward. An idea that never leaves your mind can’t do any of that.
Perfectionism can be a form of procrastination. We convince ourselves that we’re waiting for the “right time” or the “perfect idea,” but often it’s just a way to avoid the risk of failure. The truth is, nothing happens until you take action. Even if your first attempt isn’t perfect, you’re still further along than if you had done nothing at all.
Consider some of the most successful people and companies. Do you think their first versions were perfect? Of course not. They launched with what they had, learned from feedback, and made changes. Think of any of your favorite products or websites. They were far from the polished products we know today, but they started somewhere.
One practical tip is to set deadlines for yourself. Instead of aiming for perfection, aim for completion. Give yourself a set amount of time to work on something, and when that time is up, put it out there. You can always make improvements later.
Another strategy is to break your project into smaller, manageable pieces. Focus on completing one piece at a time. This makes the task less overwhelming and allows you to make steady progress.
Finally, remember that done is better than perfect because it means you’re moving forward. Each completed project, no matter how imperfect, is a step towards your goals. Each one is a learning experience that makes you better and more confident.
So the next time you find yourself holding back, waiting for the perfect moment or the perfect idea, remember this: Done is better than perfect. Start with what you know, take action, and refine as you go. You’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish.
Hope this helps you move forward with your ideas and projects. Get started today and watch your progress unfold!
With determination,
