Perfection is a Myth – Why “Done” Will Always Beat “Perfect”

We’ve all been there. Staring at a project, tweaking and refining, endlessly searching for that elusive moment where everything feels just right. But what if I told you that perfection is, well, a bit of a myth? Especially for professionals and business owners juggling a hundred things, sometimes you’ve got to embrace the beauty of “done” over “perfect.” Let me tell you a story about my friend—let's call her Emma—a busy professional who learned this lesson the hard way… during a family vacation.

The Family Vacation That Almost Didn’t Happen

Emma was your classic Type-A, checklist-loving, hyper-organized professional. You know the type—the one who has their emails categorized into folders named urgent, kinda important, and maybe someday. She had a big project looming at work, but more importantly, she’d promised her family a much-needed vacation. Simple, right?

Wrong.

Planning a family vacation with two young kids and a busy spouse became her Everest. Emma wanted the perfect trip: the ideal hotel with just the right balance of fun and relaxation, activities everyone would enjoy, and—of course—the best possible price. She went down the rabbit hole of vacation planning websites, cross-referenced reviews, calculated travel times, and even scouted nearby restaurants with kids’ menus that catered to picky eaters.

Weeks went by. Emma's indecision about the “perfect” itinerary became paralyzing. Before she knew it, the best deals were gone, and her family was staring down the barrel of a no-vacation summer. She had spent so much time chasing perfection that she hadn’t hit “book” on anything. And that’s when it hit her: She was sabotaging the whole point of the vacation by overthinking it.

The Breakthrough Moment

In a moment of clarity—after her husband gently suggested that their two kids couldn’t care less about a 5-star rating—Emma booked a perfectly fine hotel, a couple of fun activities, and decided that “good enough” would have to do. You know what happened? It turned out great. The kids had the time of their lives, and Emma? She got to actually relax (something she hadn’t done in ages).

That vacation wasn’t about having the perfect experience but being there with her family, enjoying the small moments, and realizing that things don’t need to be flawless to be meaningful.

The Lesson for All of Us

We get so caught up in the illusion of perfection—whether it’s a business proposal, a website design, or even a family holiday—that we forget the power of just getting things done. For many of us professionals, especially those of us running small businesses or managing a million daily tasks, perfection is an impossible standard that only causes stress and delays.

When we let go of the need for everything to be perfect, we free ourselves up to focus on what really matters: progress, connection, and results. It’s about showing up, doing the work, and finishing the task—even if it’s not immaculate.

In business, just like Emma’s family vacation, no one’s going to remember that tiny detail you obsessed over for days. What they will remember is that you delivered. Whether it’s a project that lands you a new client or a website that finally goes live, done is what moves the needle.

So next time you’re stuck in the never-ending cycle of tweaking, adjusting, and perfecting, ask yourself: Will this minor change really make or break the whole thing? Or could you hit publish, send, or book and let the magic happen as you go?

Done Beats Perfect—Every Time

Emma’s story is one we can all relate to, whether it’s that proposal you keep tinkering with or that marketing campaign that’s been in “draft mode” for weeks. The reality is, perfection is a myth. Done, on the other hand, gets results. And isn’t that what we’re all after? Results, impact, and making progress.

So, the next time you find yourself obsessing over every tiny detail, remember: Done will always beat perfect. Your family (and your clients) will thank you for it.