Posts that start with “I know i have not been blogging lately” should be automatically deleted from the internet. They serve no purpose other than to soothe the conscience of the writer. If you have something to say, say that. If not, don’t apologize for saying nothing. The internet is filled with enough text that should have been reconsidered before publishing…
This is not that kind of post. This is just to say that iaanvn.com now looks different. Stripped down. Basic.
The idea is that i will actually be writing something sensible instead of selecting colours, fonts and background textures for the umpteenth version of my “perfect” blog.
I am getting to grips with letting go of “perfection”. Sometimes “good enough” is good enough. In this case, this site is now good enough and i will dedicate enough hours to make something brag-worthy later.
In business i am starting to see the value of launching something before it is completely ready. The saying goes that if you launch something that has no bugs, you launched too late! The fact is, if you have some sort of vision, by the time you are ready to launch anything, there will be more features to add, more changes to be made and just one more thing before it is perfect.
We love to compare our “behind-the-scenes” with the “highlight reels” of others. (Not my quote – found on Twitter) This prevents us from making ideas real, because it will never be perfect. I find it hard to be satisfied with something i know can be better. Launching this site like it is happened more in a burst of frustration than in a calculated strategic move.
But i am willing to give it a go. Launching more and perfecting less. I believe this is a winning strategy to changing more and more…
Do you find it hard to live in the tension between “good enough” and “perfection”? How do you deal with it?
Sho boet! This one made me think… Hard. You ask how I deal with the tension between good enough and perfection. I typically just leave it before I even start because of the FEAR that it will not be good enough NEVERMIND perfect. So I keep asking myself lately – Perfect in whose eyes?! ANd I came to realize that I am my own worst enemy. Sounds a bit like a fortune cookie message, but there is a profound difference in hearing or reading that phrase and actually realizing that I am the one not believing in my own perfection, I am the one making myself believe that I (and what I do) is not good enough. And it needs to change. Today.
I know what you mean! The quest for “perfection” is paralyzing. Learning by doing is empowering. Even if you are doing it “wrong”.
We love to compare our “behind-the-scenes” with the “highlight reels” of others…
hi Iaan-
great philosophy
keep creating
Thanks! Creating is way more rewarding than trying 😉
Hi Iaan,
This is a brave, but very worthy, change!
Strongs with the exciting journey!
😉
I have come to realize that if I am always focused on getting it perfect that I will never get it done. Imperfection is human and it opens a bigger space for letting your creativity go. I read a quote ones that stated “ do not let the fear of striking out stop you from playing the game “ I would get so caught up in doing it perfect that I would stop even before trying. So now I see perfection as a negative, because it stops me from just “doing” what I love most. Creating
Love that quote! I wonder how many things coud have been if people were not afraid to fail, not afraid to learn?
Wow! Great post Iaan!
Really understand what you’re saying. It’s kinda a vulnerable (exposed) place to be in.
I close my eyes and send it out there, and maybe, just maybe within the imperfection, it becomes “perfect”..
So true Kim. I still believe in excellence, and creating great things. I just don’t think it is achieved by only doing things “perfect”
true!!!
Perfection is so hard because it is always subject to change. What is perfect for you today could be just good enough tomorrow and you are again striving for more. It is a good habit to be open to change and new inspiration and ideas. Sometimes when I look back I see things as perfect while in the moment there were not perfect at all. I always wanted everything to be perfect but I learned that from trying something and failing and trying again and changing the perfect picture always changed. I think it is great to put yourself out there trying something good enough and being open to change it – a lot more perfect than thinking about it before for too long and missing the right moment that was the perfect moment.
So well said Jennifer! Completely agree
I read this somewhere… “Done is better then perfect”. Awesome post Iaan! I totally agree with you. I also carry the same issue… Letting go of perfection. If you are seeking perfection, then you have no room for growth.
Love that! Getting things done #ftw
Love it! Because I know you and the kind of business you are in I read it with you and beautiful things in mind. Clean, sharp etc perfect! When you directed the question to the reader I had to think. Haha struggling now because I want to say what I want to say perfectly! But there is so much. Anyhow wanting things to be perfect has me just not doing it at all. I love writing and the idea of being able to be articulate in it without losing the feeling I am trying to communicate. I find that even if I write something that’s ok(good enough-ish) when I go back months later, it is perfectly the way I felt. Most of the things that are ok, I don’t share but they carry more heart than the things I have perfected. I am learning to stop being a perfectionist and to just go with the flow. Learning learning learning!