Done is Better Than Perfect

7/29/25

TED Talk Tuesday: Done is Better Than Perfect

Ah, perfectionism. It’s that nagging little voice in your head that whispers, “Just one more tweak…” It’s the constant second-guessing, the endless adjustments, the “not quite ready yet” moments. You know the ones. You’ll find yourself agonizing over the smallest details—tweaking a font, adjusting a mockup, staring at the same listing for hours—and all the while, your hesitation is keeping you stuck.

Here’s the real kicker: While you're stuck in the cycle of perfecting every little thing, there’s someone out there with half the polish and twice the nerve already launching their work, selling out, and moving on to their next big thing. And you’re still wondering if your font kerning is “just right.”

The Perfectionism Trap

Perfectionism is sneaky. It disguises itself as a pursuit of excellence, and it can trick you into thinking you’re doing the best you can. But what perfectionism really does is keep you in a constant state of “almost there.” You’re never actually finished because there’s always one more detail to fix, one more thing to adjust, one more tweak to make.

The problem? Perfectionism paralyzes you. It keeps you from showing up. You can never launch because there’s always something that could be better.

And here’s the hard truth: Done will get you paid. Perfect will keep you stuck.

You’re not in business to make a perfect product. You’re in business to create and share something of value. Perfection doesn’t equal success; progress does. You know what will actually move the needle? Taking action. Posting that thing. Listing that product. Launching that bundle—even if it’s not flawless.

Done Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect

Your audience doesn’t need perfection. They don’t need a design that’s been edited fifty times or a mockup that looks like it belongs in a design magazine. They need you. They need your ideas. They need your vibe. They need your voice.

We live in a world that’s far more forgiving than we sometimes realize. Sure, some people will notice the little things—the font spacing, the pixel alignment, the way your product listing reads—but most people? They don’t care. They care about whether or not you show up. They care about you, your perspective, and the work you’re offering. They don’t need everything to be “perfect” to appreciate what you bring to the table.

Look, nobody’s waiting for your pixel-perfect design. What your audience is waiting for is your unique take on things. They’re waiting for your style, your creativity, and your personality. They’re waiting for the real version of what you’re doing. And the best way to give that to them? Get it out there—done and imperfect as it may be.

Progress Over Perfection

Perfectionism tricks us into thinking that we have to have everything dialed in, that we need to hit this elusive mark before we can launch or post. But that’s simply not true. What’s more important than perfection is progress. Consistency is key. When you show up and make progress, even if it’s not perfect, you’re moving forward. And moving forward is always better than staying stuck.

Here’s a thought: Progress over perfection. You’ll be amazed at how much faster you’ll grow your business when you focus on showing up consistently rather than perfecting every tiny detail.

The more you create, the more you learn. Each “imperfect” product launch, each new post, each experiment you try adds to your experience and builds momentum.

You can always refine and improve once you’re in motion. But if you’re waiting for the “perfect” moment or the “perfect” design, you’ll be stuck in limbo forever.

Done > Waiting for Perfection

So here’s the bottom line: Post the thing. List the product. Launch the bundle. Don’t let perfection hold you back from moving forward. What matters is that you’re creating, sharing, and engaging with your audience—not that every little thing is perfectly aligned.

And guess what? Once it’s out there, you can always go back and make improvements. You can tweak your listings, fix your designs, and even improve your process as you go. But you can’t do any of that if you never take the first step.

Nobody can support what you never share.

Remember, your audience can’t fall in love with your work if you’re too busy holding it back. Perfection isn’t the goal—progress is. So, stop waiting for the “perfect” moment. The best moment to start is now.