When Sheryl Sandberg said, “Done is better than perfect,” she hit the nail on the head.
This mantra is not just a random quote, but a nugget of wisdom highly successful people live by.
They don’t stew over the details; they act.
But why is this? Why do these accomplished individuals choose execution over perfection?
The answer might be simpler than you think, and yet, it’s a concept that many of us grapple with daily.
In this article, we’ll delve into the reasons why ‘doing’ trumps ‘perfecting’ and how adopting this mindset can ignite your personal and professional growth, propelling you towards greater success.
Let’s dive in.
1) The power of action
Taking the first step is always daunting.
You’re standing at the edge of uncertainty, and the fear of making a mistake can be paralyzing.
This fear often leads to overthinking and obsessing over every tiny detail, delaying the actual action.
But here’s a secret the highly successful people know: action holds more power than perfection.
Let’s look at Sheryl Sandberg. She didn’t rise to be the COO of Facebook by striving for perfection in every task. Instead, she rolled up her sleeves and got things done.
Why? Because she knows that progress, not perfection, propels you forward.
It’s about the momentum you create when you ‘do’ rather than when you ‘perfect’.
Being ‘done’ means you’ve made a move. You’ve taken a step. You’ve started your journey.
And that’s more valuable than any immaculate plan that only exists on paper.
But don’t just take my word for it. Let’s delve into why this approach proves so effective for the high-flyers of our world.
2) My personal experience
I’ve always been a bit of a perfectionist.
I remember working on a project for my small business, a website redesign that was supposed to take a couple of weeks.
I wanted it to be perfect. I obsessed over every color scheme, every font choice, every single word on the site.
Weeks turned into months. I was stuck in this never-ending cycle of tweaks and changes, always feeling like it was never quite ‘perfect’.
Then, I stumbled upon Sandberg’s quote, “Done is better than perfect”. It was a lightbulb moment for me.
I realized that while I was obsessing over creating the ‘perfect’ website, my competitors were out there making moves, gaining ground. They were ‘doing’, while I was stuck in ‘perfecting’.
So, I made the decision to finally launch the website, even though it wasn’t ‘perfect’.
And guess what? My business started growing. The feedback started pouring in and using that feedback, I made changes that mattered to my customers.
This experience taught me the value of execution over perfection.
It’s a lesson that’s stayed with me ever since and has been pivotal in my personal and professional growth.
3) The paralysis of perfectionism
Did you know that Leonardo da Vinci, one of the greatest artists and inventors of all time, was notorious for leaving his works unfinished?
Yes, the man who gave us the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper was known to start projects with great enthusiasm, only to abandon them later in pursuit of new ideas or in an attempt to achieve perfection.
This tendency towards perfectionism often leads to what psychologists call “analysis paralysis” – a state of overanalyzing or overthinking a situation so that a decision or action is never taken, effectively paralyzing the outcome.
Successful people understand this trap and actively avoid it by embracing the concept of ‘done’ rather than ‘perfect’.
They know that taking action, even if imperfect, is what leads to progress and ultimately, success.
4) Nurturing a growth mindset
Highly successful people don’t just focus on getting things done, they believe in the power of growth and learning through their actions.
They understand that every step taken, every project completed, and every task done – perfect or not – is an opportunity to learn and grow.
Mistakes aren’t seen as failures, but as valuable lessons that can shape their future actions.
This is the essence of a growth mindset – the belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work.
It’s a view of failure not as evidence of unintelligence, but as a springboard for growth and stretching existing abilities.
By choosing ‘done’ over ‘perfect’, they’re choosing growth over stagnation.
5) Embracing the journey
I’ve always been a firm believer in the journey being just as important, if not more, than the destination. The same holds true when it comes to getting things done.
In my experience, focusing on perfection can often blind us to the journey we’re on.
We become so fixated on the end result that we forget to appreciate the process – the ups, the downs, the lessons learned, and the personal growth experienced.
Successful people, however, understand that it’s not just about crossing the finish line; it’s about how you get there.
They embrace the journey with all its imperfections because they know that’s where the real growth happens.
When Sandberg said “Done is better than perfect”, she wasn’t just referring to completing tasks.
She was highlighting the importance of valuing our journey towards those accomplishments.
And believe me, once you start appreciating your journey, you’ll find that success isn’t just about reaching a destination – it’s about enjoying the ride too.
6) The unexpected freedom of letting go
Perfectionism often presents itself as a form of control – control over the outcome, over the process, and even over others’ perceptions.
However, this pursuit of control can actually end up controlling us, restricting our creativity and hindering our progress.
On the other hand, choosing to get things done rather than perfect them surprisingly gives us more control and freedom than we might think.
By letting go of the need for perfection, we free ourselves from the pressure of unrealistic expectations.
We allow ourselves to experiment, take risks, and embrace the unknown.
More importantly, we give ourselves permission to be human – to make mistakes, to learn, and to grow.
And in that freedom lies the real essence of success.
Next time you find yourself striving for perfection, remember that sometimes, ‘done’ can be more empowering and fulfilling than ‘perfect’ could ever be.
7) The beauty of progress
There’s something incredibly satisfying about crossing items off a to-do list. It gives us a sense of achievement, a feeling of moving forward.
However, the pursuit of perfection can rob us of this satisfaction.
When we aim for perfection, we often set the bar so high that we struggle to reach it, leaving us feeling deflated and unaccomplished.
Successful people, however, know the value of progress.
They understand that every task completed, every project finished, every step taken is a win.
They celebrate their progress, no matter how small, because they realize that these small victories are what eventually lead to big successes.
Every time you choose ‘done’ over ‘perfect’, you’re choosing progress.
And progress, no matter how small, is always something to be proud of.
8) The power of now
At the end of the day, the most important thing to remember is this: the present moment is all we have.
Every minute spent obsessing over perfection is a minute lost. It’s a minute you could have spent taking action, making progress, learning something new.
Highly successful people understand this. They don’t waste time striving for unattainable perfection.
Instead, they seize the present moment and use it to execute their plans, to take action towards their goals.
In doing so, they don’t just get things done – they make the most of their time.
And in a world where time is our most precious resource, that’s a lesson we could all stand to learn.
Embracing the done over perfect mantra
As we wrap up, consider this: highly successful people like Sheryl Sandberg don’t just execute, they embody the ‘done is better than perfect’ philosophy.
This mantra isn’t about compromising quality or advocating for mediocrity.
It’s about understanding the value of action, progress, and growth over unattainable perfection.
It’s about recognizing that each step taken, each task completed, no matter how imperfectly, is a notch on the belt of success.
A testament to your resilience and ability to embrace the beauty of the journey and the power of the present moment.
As we part ways, think about how you can incorporate this philosophy into your own life. How can you shift from obsessing over perfection to executing with purpose?
It’s not just about getting things done.
It’s about making the most of your time, your efforts, and ultimately embracing the freedom that comes with letting go of perfection.
As Sheryl Sandberg once said, “Done is better than perfect”. How will you apply this in your life today?
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