Perfectionism is a Trap
My friend and colleague, Pooja Patel, shares her wisdom as a business coach to talk to you about the Good Enough Rule.
One of the many benefits of having moved around so much while growing up is that I’ve made some amazing friends all around the globe. Now, twenty years later, I get to meet a whole different version of these people and see how they’ve grown.
I went to high school with Pooja Patel, a Leadership & Executive Coach with almost 20 years of corporate experience. Her career has spanned fashion, branding, advertising, marketing, and tech. She’s told me that the common threads during her career were always the people, and when she had the chance, she launched her own company.
Here’s what she has to say to us creatives about something called the Good Enough Rule. If you like what she has to say, be sure to give her a follow on socials and implement her teachings.
And remember,
Be well, stay safe, and love each other.
Breaking the Perfectionism Trap: The Good Enough Rule for Creative Professionals
by Pooja Patel
As a writer, you know the seductive whisper of perfectionism. That voice that keeps you endlessly tweaking a paragraph, rewriting a chapter, or perpetually "almost" finishing your manuscript. Enter, The Good Enough Rule: a transformative approach that can liberate your creative process.
What is the Good Enough Rule?
Think of this as your escape hatch from the paralysis of perfectionism. It's a practical strategy that shifts your focus from creating the "perfect" piece to creating a completed piece. A tangible mental and physical shift happens when you learn to define clear completion criteria and embrace the radical concept of "done" over "perfect."
The Three-Step Process to Creative Liberation
1. Define “Good Enough” Upfront
Before you dive into your project, take a moment to get crystal clear about your actual goals. What are the must-have elements of your work? What level of quality do you truly need?
Ask yourself:
What would your readers genuinely consider a satisfying piece of writing?
If there was nothing holding you back, how would you define success for this project?
2. Set Clear Completion Criteria
This is where you become your own project manager. Identify 3-5 specific indicators that signal your work is ready to be shared with the world. Make these markers as concrete and measurable as possible.
Ask yourself:
What does your writing need to accomplish (identify 1-3 things)?
If you were explaining to another writer how to know when a draft is complete, what specific markers would you give them?
3. Create a “Done is Better than Perfect” Deadline
Set a firm time limit. When you hit either your “good enough” criteria or your predetermined deadline, it's time to ship your work. No more endless revisions, no more perpetual drafting.
Ask yourself:
What's a reasonable timeframe for completing this draft to a “good enough” standard?
What might happen if you declared your work done right now, exactly as it is?
The 70% Principle: Your Secret Weapon
Here's a liberating piece of research that might change your entire approach: typically, the first 30% of your time produces 70% of the value. The remaining 70% of time often only adds a marginal 30% of additional value.
Example: When writing a draft to submit to your editor
Good enough = Key points covered, main narrative arc established, basic structure in place.
Not needed = Perfect prose in every single sentence, exhaustive world-building, endless character backstories.
Time limit = If it's due Friday, it goes out Friday with whatever meets the basic criteria.
Implementation Tips for Writers and Creatives
Start with low-stakes writing tasks to build your "good enough" muscle.
Find a writing buddy who can help hold you accountable.
Track the additional projects or creative opportunities you can pursue by saving time.
Celebrate shipping your work, not just perfecting it!!!
Your Accountability Challenge
Immediate Action Step: What one low-risk writing task could you practice this approach on this week? Who in your writing circle might be a great accountability partner in breaking these perfectionism patterns?
Remember the powerful words of Brené Brown: "Perfectionism is a 20-ton shield that we lug around, thinking it will protect us, when in fact it's the thing that's preventing us from taking flight."
This is your sign to create the freedom to focus on what you love - writing. Embrace "good enough" and watch your productivity and creative joy transform.
Pooja Patel, Leadership & Executive Coach
With almost 20 years of corporate experience, Pooja's career has spanned fashion, branding, advertising, marketing, digital, and tech. The common threads were always the people and building and leading dynamic teams - she loves being the jane-of-all-trades and the master of some.
Today, Pooja has the privilege of fully living her passion and purpose as a holistic leadership and executive coach. She partners with multi-dimensional individuals and organizations to reach and surpass their potential in a tangible way. More specifically, Pooja supports ambitious leaders to articulate their impact and value in their professional and personal lives so they can inspire their teams, supercharge their careers, and write their own definition of sustainable success. This empowers them to lead authentically, prioritize their work-life integration, and feel more purposeful and fulfilled. She is an ICF-accredited ACC, CPC, CLDS, and ELI-MP (lots of acronyms that mean she's got ample training, qualifications, and certifications from the International Coaching Federation (ICF) to partner with clients).
When Pooja is not partnering with clients, you can find her in northern New Jersey with her dynamic husband and two energetic, sports-loving sons. She's the one cheering on the sidelines, volunteering in her community, giving back to her alma-maters, playing pickleball, cooking seasonal meals, and trying to finish a book.
Website: Link
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This newsletter is so relevant!! Perfectionism is always a struggle.