The Perfection Trap

It is natural and advisable to do everything we undertake to the very best of our ability.  However, perfection is never attainable. Mark Twain said, “Constant improvement is better than delayed perfection.” I began writing these weekly syndicated columns more than 20 years ago. Today, Winners’ Wisdom appears in newspapers, magazines, and online publications literally around the world. But when I first started writing a weekly column, it only appeared in the business journal in my hometown.

 It all began when the editor of that publication read one of my books and contacted me to ask if I would write a column for their next edition. I agreed to try it one time, and it was well-received to the extent that the editor made my “Winners’ Wisdom” column a weekly feature. He gave me very few guidelines or ground rules other than the fact that the deadline to receive my column was noon each Thursday.

 I remember one particular week I was really struggling to complete the column as the deadline approached. I received a phone call from the editor who gave me some very powerful advice on writing a column or living a successful life. He said, “We don’t need it perfect. We do need it Thursday.”

 I remember this often, particularly when I am overwhelmed or when I am struggling with perfectionism. While we all admire perfection and strive to attain it, there’s a point at which trying to reach that elusive ideal creates diminishing returns. Trying to make something perfect may keep us from doing other things we should be doing instead of pursuing the fantasy of perfection. There’s never an excuse for doing less than our best, but our best effort needs to be good enough in our own minds so we can move forward.

 I’ve written over 50 books and more than a thousand of these weekly columns. None of them are perfect and all of them could be improved. However, they were good enough to get from where I was to where I am with the hope and desire to keep improving in the future.

 The only two things we control in this life are our effort and our attitude. If you put forth your best effort and maintain a positive attitude, you will achieve success.

 As you go through your day today, forget perfection and pursue success.

 Today’s the day!