How often do you find yourself paralyzed by the desire to get things perfect, to get everything just right before you hit that “send” button? If I had a dime for every time I second-guessed myself into a standstill, I’d be lounging on a beach somewhere, sipping on a piña colada. I used to spend hours agonizing over the “perfect” post, the “perfect” blog, or the “perfect” briefing note. The quest for perfection is a notorious dream killer.
For years, I spun this story: “I’m not a good writer. I’m more of a visual creative—gifted with the paintbrush rather than the pen.” It was my safety net, my excuse to avoid vulnerability. But here’s the thing: that story didn’t serve me. It kept me small, quiet, and hidden. The truth? I may not have perfect prose or the gift of storytelling—yet. But with a bit of practice, courage, and persistence, I’m finding my voice.
Perfection is the enemy of progress. It’s a cliché for a reason. When we get caught up in the idea that our work must be flawless, we never actually produce anything. We stay stuck in the realm of ideas, never venturing into the messy, imperfect world of creation. Progress, on the other hand, is about movement. It’s about taking that first step, even if it’s wobbly and unsure.
Think of a horse coming out of the gates with blinders on. That horse isn’t concerned with what the other horses are doing; it’s focused on running its race. We need to adopt that mindset. Put on your blinders and run your race, sharing your experiences and insights without the crippling fear of imperfection.
Finding your voice and the courage to share your perspective is a journey. It starts with small steps—speaking up in a meeting, posting a blog, sharing your thoughts with a friend. It doesn’t matter if it’s perfect. What matters is that you’re sharing your voice. We often place so much emphasis on what others think of us, but here’s a little secret: they’re too busy worrying about their own stuff. People aren’t scrutinizing your every word; they’re navigating their own lives.
Sharing your voice can make a difference, even if it’s just to one person. That’s far more important than staying silent and safe. Be brave. Speak your thoughts. It takes just 10 seconds of courage to press that “send” button. Ten seconds to decide that your voice matters and that progress is more important than perfection. Once you’ve made that decision, put on those blinders and move boldly forward.
Next time you’re feeling stuck or procrastinating on shipping something, remember these three principles:
- Be the horse: Focus on your own race.
- It only takes 10 seconds of courage: Hit send.
- Progress over perfection: Move forward, imperfections and all.
Perfectionism is a trap. It keeps us from moving forward, from sharing our gifts with the world. It convinces us that we’re not good enough, that our work isn’t ready, that we need to wait. But waiting for perfection means we’re waiting forever.
Your voice, your ideas, and your perspective are valuable, even if they’re not wrapped in a perfect package. Embrace progress. Take that step. Press send. You’ve got this!
