TPS #31- Paradox of Perfectionism

Remember when we were kids, and we'd build those massive sandcastles?

Hours flew by, cramming sand into just the right places.

But then the tide would inversely roll in, washing away our work in an instant.

Many of us do the same thing every day.

This time it’s with our business.

Trying to build the perfect sandcastle, not realizing the tide is looming.

So, here's the scoop:

Perfection is a sneaky little illusion, always dancing just out of reach.

Aiming to be perfect is like trying to catch the sun as it sets on the horizon. An endlessly moving goalpost that is always just out of reach.

The fear of failure, the fear of rejection, the fear of not being good enough -

These ghosts lurk in your subconscious mind keeping you held in place because you're not perfect.

Today, I'll give you three life rafts to escape this sinking ship.

1. Riding the Wave of Progress

Try thinking like a surfer.

If you’re out on in the water waiting for a wave to ride, are you going to be picky?

Will you wait for that perfect wave and waste all your time out there?

Probably not.

Stop focusing on waiting for the perfect moment or place in time.

And enjoy the wave that you are on.

You’re learning, your growing.

You're making progress as long as you're not stuck in place.

2. The 'Good Enough' Revolution

“Build the plane while flying it.”

In other words, embrace pragmatism.

Entrepreneurs are in the game of solving problems.

Things that no one has done before, or we’re doing it in a new way.

Often with no clear properties, goals, or roadmaps to follow.

That’s what you signed up for.

And if you’re a perfectionist, this is hell.

But that’s why you need to embrace being pragmatic.

Doing things as you go, learning on the fly, iterating at a moment’s notice.

What you’re really doing is learning how to adapt and how to get things done effectively.

Skills that will pay ten-fold down the line.

3. Perfectionism vs. Excellence

Here’s a secret:

Perfectionism? An illusion, but excellence that’s tangible.

Have you ever tried to get a six-pack?

Seems impossible to most, and that’s why most don’t have one.

They never start because it would be hard to get a perfect six-pack.

That’s perfectionism, focusing on what you can’t control.

Excellence on the other hand, that’s showing up to the gym every day.

No matter if you feel tired or your abs are sore from yesterday.

You’ll get the six-pack eventually.

Commit to the process, not the results.

Now, how about some quick and dirty tips to outfox perfectionism?

1. Small Wins Fiesta

Did you make that phone call today?

Celebrate.

Or write that email you were procrastinating?

Celebrate.

If you never enjoy the little wins throughout your day or even your week or month, then your just letting the time pass.

Let the time pass long enough, and you’ll burn out.

I promise.

2. The Beauty of the Blemish

Most beautiful people have flaws.

In fact, most people would say that their flaws make them beautiful.

Why is your work any different?

No one’s work is ever perfect.

But the people who win and are successful are the ones who know to embrace the imperfections of their work.

Just think about it.

You’re not perfect.

I’m not perfect.

We don’t actually want perfect. We want to relate to one another.

The lack of perfection is what makes us human.

What are you? Not human?

3. Excellence Over Perfection

We all have that one friend who wants to go on road trips.

Plans everything out to the last detail about where were stopping and staying for the night.

But we never end up leaving in the first place?

Don’t be that friend.

The best way to enjoy a road trip?

(You’ll never guess)

Try getting on the road.

Figure it out later.

Bottom line:

The tides are going to roll in.

Time to build a boat and ditch the sandcastles.

Let's start crafting that boat.

That boat is your "Progress over Perfection Tracker" - a super-simple, ultra-efficient system on Notion that I've been using for a hot minute.

This system ain't no Rolls Royce, but it's the trusty pickup truck that'll get you where you need to go.

Here's how it works:

There are 3 different columns

• Minimum viable product

• Good enough

• Excellence

So instead of battling tasks, you can make clear progress by moving it along into the “good enough” column.

This really helps me stop procrastinating if I can’t complete the task in one go around.

That’s all I got for today, folks.

Until next time,

Hunter.

PS: Whenever you're ready, here are two-way I can help you:

1. Get a free operations audit for your business or agency here.

2. Subscribe and get unlimited custom systems and AI integrations for you and your team at ProfitPilot