perfection stalls progress.

How many dreams sit in the graveyard of "I'll start when it's perfect"?

That book you've been meaning to write.
The business idea you've been refining for years.
The workout routine you'll begin "once you have the perfect plan."

We've all been there – caught in the seductive web of perfection, telling ourselves that we're just preparing, planning, waiting for the right moment.

But what if this pursuit of perfection is actually the very thing holding us back?

Here's the thing about perfection: it's often just fear wearing a really convincing costume. 👻

When we say we're waiting for the "perfect moment" or trying to create the "perfect outcome", what we're really saying is:

"I'm afraid of putting something imperfect into the world."

We've somehow convinced ourselves that perfection is a ‘shield’ that will protect us from criticism, failure, or disappointment.

But here's what I've learned: Perfection isn't just impossible – it's paralyzing.

Epictetus once said:

At first glance, this might seem harsh.

But there's profound wisdom here: true growth requires us to be okay with being imperfect in public.

The fear of looking stupid is holding you back.

I started this newsletter on April 1, 2024 and haven’t looked back since.

I never write second drafts. All you’ve seen is the first take each week.

I wasn’t afraid of what people were gonna say about my grammar or my vocabulary, or how good the newsletter was itself. It didn’t matter, because I was willing to look stupid.

And yes, I’ve had friends laugh at what I wrote each week, saying I was a wannabe influencer.

“Okay…So what? What if I DO want to?”

It’s so easy to turn it around on them. At the end of the day, whatever you do —

YOU ARE NOT GOING TO MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY.

So why bother? Do it anyway.

Over time, I’ve only become better at writing and more confident about putting more stuff out there for people to see. And I only get more people reaching out saying how much of an impact it’s made on their lives.

This brings us to a powerful mental model: the Iterative Improvement Cycle.

Instead of aiming for perfection in one giant leap, what if we approached our goals in small, imperfect steps?

Think about it this way:

• Person A waits to start until they have the perfect plan, perfect skills, and perfect conditions

• Person B starts today with what they have, learns from mistakes, and improves along the way

After one year, who do you think will be closer to their goals? 🤷‍♂️

Perfection is static.
Progress is dynamic.

Perfection is an endpoint that doesn't exist.
Progress is a journey that keeps unfolding.

The most successful people I know aren't the ones who do things perfectly – they're the ones who do things consistently.

They understand that progress compounds over time, while perfection compounds our fears and delays our dreams.

So here's your invitation: Pick one thing you've been putting off in pursuit of perfection.

Now, what's the smallest, most imperfect step you could take toward it today?
Take that step. Then take another tomorrow.

Remember, you don't have to see the whole staircase to take the first step.

Progress isn't about never falling – it's about falling forward.

Godspeed, and —

happy falling. 🍃