Perfection v/s. Getting Things Done

I had an interesting experience recently with one of my team members. We were to submit an important project document to client and we decided that we will first freeze the table of contents (ToC) and then move on to filling up content.

Almost a day went by and I had no update on ToC. When inquired, I found that team member was aiming at creating a perfect ToC by referring to all possible external references – without realizing that we had lost a day in pursuit of perfection when we could have done it in less time and could have perfected it as we go along documenting. In pursuit of perfection, you become your own worst critic!

There are situations on project when progress is important in right direction – in my experience, perfection is an ongoing process that actually starts after you set a right direction and make some progress therein. That is the starting point of perfection as a process. When you repeat this process over and over again, perfection gets ingrained in whatever you do – leading to excellence.

Some of the important lessons for me and my team member from this experience were:

• More you try to perfect something, more time it will take. (and you never know whether it will be perfect at the end!)
• It does not have to be perfect – just good enough will do.
• Perfection has to be a process – rather than a one-time-attempt. Perfect Incrementally.
• Sometimes a quick 90% solution is better than a 100% perfect solution that comes in when it is no longer needed.
• Focus on a few vital things – and set priorities looking at purpose and time available.
• Perfection cannot pursued be at the cost of taking actions at right time.
• Get it done once – then perfect it. Do this over and over again and perfection becomes a way of work.

I think – following two quotes aptly sum up the lessons above:

“Aim at perfection in everything, though in most things it is unattainable. However, they who aim at it, and persevere, will come much nearer to it than those whose laziness and despondency make them give it up as unattainable.  – Lord Chesterfield:

Aim for success, not perfection. Never give up your right to be wrong, because then you will lose the ability to learn new things and move forward with your life. – Dr. David M. Burns”