The lie of perfectionism

Last week, we talked about the driveway. We talked about showing up for the people who matter most, even when you're wiped out.

But here is reality: you are going to mess that up. You’re going to mess a lot of things up.

You will have days where you lose your patience, drop the ball, or just retreat to the couch. You’ll have days when you aren’t positive, when you live below the line, when you make excuses, when you let fear win. Welcome to being a human. When that happens, the temptation is to throw your hands up. "Welp, failed again. And tomorrow will probably be the same. Why even try?”

That is perfectionism talking. And it is a liar.

Which brings us to the next rule of NO DRIFT:

#9. Progress, not perfection. Reject perfectionism. Just get better.

We tend to wear perfectionism like a badge of honor. We think it proves we have high standards. But in reality, perfectionism is just a socially acceptable form of procrastination. It’s a hiding place. If we can’t be perfect, why do it?

It tells you that if you don't have a full hour to train, there's no point in working out at all. If the business plan isn't flawless, you shouldn't launch. If you can't be the perfect dad today, you might as well check out entirely.

It demands ideal conditions. But conditions are never ideal.

I completed a 365-day workout streak last year. People assume that means I had 365 great workouts. I didn't. Some days were great. And there were some where I was exhausted, traveling, or just didn't want to be there. Some workouts the reps were locked in. Other workouts, the reps were ugly. But I didn't need a perfect workout. I just needed to move.

The man who takes messy, imperfect action will beat the man who makes perfect plans every single time.

Standing still is how Drift takes over. You don't need the perfect newsletter; hit publish. You don't need a perfectly orchestrated date night; look your wife in the eye and have a real conversation.

The work is the shortcut. The reps don't have to be pretty. They just have to get done.

The Challenge

This week, audit your delays.

Where are you currently standing still because you are waiting for things to be "right"? What project, conversation, or habit have you put on hold (or given up on) because you can't do it perfectly yet?

Stop waiting. Lower the barrier to entry and just move.

Do the ugly workout. Make the messy phone call. Write the terrible first draft. Take the baby step.

Stop trying to be perfect. Just get better.

Live above the line.

For you,
Kevin

Thanks for reading this. Share it with anybody you think would find it useful. And as a reminder, NO DRIFT is not mine it is ours. I want to know what you think, what you want to hear about, what you are learning. All feedback is welcomed.