For Those Craving Perfection

Many people crave perfection: the perfect decision to a tough question, or the perfect choice about what to spend time on, or the perfect solution to a problem.

This craving for "perfect" has a few effects.

First, it can push us to think more strategically, not being satisfied with the first answer or choice we stumble upon. Since we care about finding the best, we look harder.

Second, it can nudge us towards spending a lot of time thinking and analyzing rather than doing. Sometimes this spirals into analysis paralysis: that anxiety-filled state of indecision and inaction.

The approach of seeking perfection isn't inherently good or bad. Sometimes, the quest for perfection can lead to better choices, better actions, and better results. And sometimes, the desire for perfection leads to stagnation, frustration, and decline. Sometimes, "good enough" is good enough. But other times, it really does make a difference to strive for spectacular.

Reality is uncertain. We can never truly know the full impact of anything we do, and the concept of "perfection" isn't really well-defined. One of the best ways to approach this conundrum is simply acknowledge these questions and tradeoffs and stay alert for better answers as we move through life. When you get better results through chasing perfection, then maybe it's a good strategy; but when it becomes self-defeating and holds you back, then maybe get rid of it.

Through action, we can learn—and through our learning, we can take better action.