Ready, Fire, Aim: Why Done Is Better Than Perfect

By Dr. Cherry, Quite Contrary #ceowhisperher

In our quest for perfection, we often miss the most important step—getting started. As an organizational psychologist and master coach, I’ve seen firsthand how the relentless pursuit of perfection can become a trap, paralyzing progress and innovation. The truth is, done is better than perfect, because perfect never gets done.

Ready, Fire, Aim vs. Ready, Aim, Fire

Many people get stuck in the Ready, Aim, Fire mindset. They spend so much time aiming—planning, tweaking, and perfecting—that they never actually fire. This endless preparation becomes a form of procrastination, driven by the fear of making a mistake.

Ready, Fire, Aim flips the process. It prioritizes action over analysis. Fire first—take the shot—and then adjust your aim based on what you learn. This isn’t about being reckless; it’s about understanding that momentum creates clarity. You can always refine your approach, but only if you’ve taken the first step.

Perfection is the enemy of progress, and Ready, Fire, Aim is the antidote.

The Dartboard Theory: A Personal Story

When I founded Personality Matters, one of the key strategies I used to propel the company forward was the Dartboard Theory. Alongside my amazing Vice President, Dr. Nicole Collier-Harp, we adopted a practice of quickly getting ideas out there—like throwing darts at a dartboard. It wasn’t about perfection; it was about momentum.

This method liberated us from the fear of failure and gave us the ability to refine as we moved forward. The dartboard became a symbol of action over analysis, of trying something first and perfecting it later. This approach helped elevate Personality Matters to new heights.

The Power of T-R-Y

In today’s world, there’s hesitation around the word try. People are bombarded with advice like, “Don’t try; just do.” But this is misguided. Trying is the beginning of doing. Without trying, there is no growth, no discovery, no success. Like the Little Engine That Could, progress starts with, “I think I can.”

Failure is not the enemy. In fact, failure is a gift. Each misstep provides invaluable information about where to go next. Neuroscience supports this: when we try something and fail, our brains rewire to learn, adapt, and improve. Behavioral science calls this experimentation, and positive psychology reframes failure as feedback—a step toward mastery.

Debunking Psychobabble

Too often, we’re held back by psychobabble—advice with no real science or logic to back it up. We hear myths like, “Never say try,” or “Don’t use the word fail.” These words, supposedly, hold power to harm your self-esteem or self-worth.

Let me tell you the truth: They don’t. Your words do not control your confidence—your actions do. Using words like try or fail won’t hurt your self-esteem, self-efficacy, or self-worth. What will hurt you is doing nothing. These myths are distractions. Stop giving these words power. You hold the power.

Beta Testing Life

Think about technology. The apps and systems we use every day started as beta tests. The first iteration wasn’t meant to be perfect; it was meant to be functional. Through feedback and iteration, these systems became what we rely on today. Life and work are no different. Instead of waiting for perfection, start beta testing your ideas. Each attempt is an experiment that brings you closer to success.

Spaghetti on the Wall

Sometimes you need to throw spaghetti at the wall and see what sticks. This isn’t recklessness; it’s courage. It’s the willingness to step into the unknown, test ideas, and learn along the way. Creativity thrives in this messy, iterative process. You won’t find the perfect solution by waiting; you’ll find it by doing.

Stop Waiting, Start Trying

The fear of imperfection holds us back. But if you wait for the perfect moment, you’ll be waiting forever. It’s time to embrace imperfection, take action, and refine along the way. Trying doesn’t guarantee success, but it guarantees progress.

Final Thoughts

Perfection is a myth. Progress is reality. In my journey, I’ve learned that the magic lies in getting started—not waiting for everything to align perfectly. Let go of the fear of failure and give yourself permission to try. Remember, “I think I can” is the first step to “I know I can.”

So, stop aiming forever. Start firing and adjust your aim as you go. The world doesn’t need perfect—it needs you to start beta testing your ideas. Let’s leave the psychobabble behind, take control, and take action. Ready, fire, aim, and get something done.