The Power of Imperfect Action: Lessons from a Decapitated Presentation

Have you ever found yourself stuck in your head, overthinking every detail before taking action? I recently had an experience that reminded me of the power of just doing the thing, even when it's not perfect.

I was invited to speak at a live event for another company's audience - something that's still relatively new for me. As I prepared to teach a concept I'm passionate about, I had a last-minute idea to present it differently. Without hesitation, I asked if I could change things up and use a whiteboard.

Here's where it gets interesting (and a little embarrassing): During the live presentation, my head was cut off for half the time! Talk about a facepalm moment. ??♀?

But you know what? The world didn't end. In fact, something beautiful happened.

The Magic of Imperfection

One of my community members reached out afterwards to tell me it was a great interview. When I mentioned my head being cut off, she reframed it as "a great Stacey moment." Her perspective shift was exactly what I needed to hear.

This experience got me thinking about how often we let perfectionism hold us back from taking action. We wait for the perfect moment, the flawless presentation, or the ideal circumstances. But here's the truth:

No one cares about perfection as much as we do.

People are there for the value you provide, not for a picture-perfect delivery. They want your insights, your experience, and your unique perspective. Everything else is just window dressing.

The Power of Immediate Action

There's something magical about taking action before you feel fully ready. It's in those raw, unpolished moments that true creativity and connection often emerge.

I've realized that my ability to move quickly in business comes from this willingness to act before everything is perfectly planned. It's about:

• Getting ideas out of your head and into the world
• Taking small steps to keep projects in motion
• Embracing the messy process of growth and learning

When we wait too long, ideas can lose their spark. Motivation fades. Opportunities slip away. That's why I've adopted a simple philosophy:

Don't wait for opportunity. Create it.

Embracing the Messy Middle

Here's a counterintuitive truth: If your first attempt at something comes out too polished, you might be playing it too safe. The magic often happens in the messy middle - where you're stretching yourself, learning, and growing in real-time.

So the next time you're tempted to wait until everything is perfect:

• Remember that done is better than perfect
• Focus on delivering value, not flawless execution
• Embrace the learning opportunities that come from taking imperfect action

Your Challenge: Take Imperfect Action

I want to challenge you to take one imperfect action this week towards a goal or idea you've been sitting on. It could be:

• Reaching out to a potential collaborator
• Recording a quick video for your audience or your company
• Joining an event that you might be scared to attend

Whatever it is, don't overthink it. Just do it. Then come back and share your experience in the comments. What did you learn? How did it feel to take that step?

Remember, community building isn't about perfection. It's about showing up consistently, providing value, and connecting authentically - head cut off or not. ??

Let's create opportunities together, one imperfect action at a time.

What's one area where you've been waiting for perfection before taking action? How can you take a small, imperfect step forward today?