"Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good": 7 tips for perfectionists
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, CDCES, MBA
Learn where "perfect is the enemy of good" originated and why perfectionism can keep you from attaining your goals. Plus, how to be more fluid about perfectionism.
In a way, perfectionism can be a tool that helps us strive for excellence in all we do, from crushing it at work to showing up for our friends and everything in-between. But more often, striving for perfection can also hold us back, making us feel like nothing we do is ever good enough.
The saying, “Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good,” is a reminder that the pursuit of perfection can keep us from getting started which prevents our success.
Picture a writer who’s so stuck endlessly tweaking the first chapter of their novel that they don’t write chapter two, or an entrepreneur who keeps delaying their business launch in an effort to make every detail flawless. This relentless chase for perfection can cause anxiety and procrastination, ultimately halting progress and future achievements.
If this mindset sounds familiar, it may be time to shift your approach and embrace the concept of “good enough.” Being good enough—and accepting that it’s sufficient—not only helps in managing these perfectionist tendencies, but it also reduces stress, boosts productivity, and opens the door to new opportunities.
Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good: Where does the expression come from?
The phrase, "Don't let perfect be the enemy of good" is often attributed to the French philosopher, Voltaire. Voltaire said, "Le mieux est l'ennemi du bien," which translates to "The best is the enemy of the good."
Voltaire was an influential thinker during the Enlightenment period — a time when people began to celebrate reason, science, and progress. He used this expression to encourage people to take practical steps toward improvement, rather than getting stuck chasing unattainable perfection.
It’s a timeless sentiment for good reason. Today people say, "Don't let perfect be the enemy of good" to remind themselves to prioritize progress over perfection. In business, leaders use the concept to encourage innovation and productivity. At school, teachers recite it to remind students that learning is a process. This approach can help you set better goals, stay motivated, and celebrate your successes.
Why is perfect the enemy of the good?
Chasing perfectionism can create unrealistic standards and expectations. If you’re trying to be the perfect employee, the perfect romantic partner, or the perfect parent, odds are you’ll fail. You’re only human. But by shifting your mindset to focus on making progress rather than achieving perfection, you may be able to boost productivity, reduce stress, and find greater fulfillment and happiness. In other words, lean into your human-ness and do your best (because you’re best is enough).
Procrastination and delay: Perfectionists often delay starting or completing tasks because they worry their work won't meet their high standards. And if their standards won’t be met, then what’s the point? In some cases, the fear of failure, making mistakes, or producing mediocre work can be so overwhelming that you end up doing nothing at all. Ever heard the expression, failure to launch?
Increased stress and anxiety: Constantly striving for perfection in every aspect of your life—whether at work, school, or in personal relationships—can be exhausting and overwhelming. This constant state of tension can negatively affect your mental and physical health, which can lead to burnout and other stress-related issues. Trust us, you don’t want to roll the dice with burnout.
Diminished productivity: Focusing on minor details and trying to perfect every aspect of a task can slow you down. You might spend so much time tweaking and refining that you don’t move on to other important tasks. Staying stuck in the minutia can also drain your energy because there’s no forward movement.
Reduced creativity and innovation: When you’re overly focused on making something perfect, you may be less likely to experiment with new ideas or take creative risks. This can limit your ability to come up with innovative solutions and have, ya know, fun.
Strained relationships: When you hold yourself to impossibly high standards, you might expect others to achieve the same. This can lead to frustration, disappointment, and unnecessary tension if they choose not to engage in the same levels of perfectionism that you do.
Lack of satisfaction and joy: No matter how well you do, if you always feel it isn't good enough, you may find it difficult to appreciate your successes and enjoy the moment. You’ll be chasing an ever-moving bench mark which isn’t great for your mental health.
How to stop perfectionism from interfering with your goals: 7 tips to make peace with good enough
Perfectionism can make it difficult to achieve your goals and enjoy your accomplishments. But when you try to manage your perfectionist tendencies, you’re likely to find greater satisfaction in life. Here are some ways you can start going a little easier on yourself today.
1. Set realistic goals
Put a bunch of lofty goals on your to-do list and you’ll never finish it. So instead, try breaking your tasks into manageable steps. Need to clear out your garden? Try starting with one bed. Need to wash all your linens, start with sheets and towels. Instead of aiming for perfection from the start, focus on completing each step well. Bonus points if you give yourself an allotted amount of time so you can prioritize your other needs like rest, relaxation, and social time.
💙 Consider challenging your view of Failure, and explore how you can more skillfully respond to it while pursuing your goals.
2. Prioritize tasks in ways that work for you
Not every task you need to complete requires the same level of attention. If you need to pick up your shoes, you don’t need to organize your entire shoe rack. Just get those shoes in the closet! Prioritize your tasks, allocate your time effectively by spending your energy on the ones that really matter to you.
3. Set time limits for your to-do list
Set a time limit for each task. When the time is up, move on to the next task, even if the first one isn't perfect. This can help you make steady progress and prevent you from getting stuck on minor details.
If there are tasks you’re hoping to accomplish that really require a deep dive, schedule those tasks for days when you’ve got nothing else pressing on your plate. Want to deep clean your house? Maybe aim for doing it on a free Sunday.
💙 Learn how to set time limits for yourself (and stick to it) with help from Tamara Levitt’s guided exercise on Boundaries.
4. Embrace mistakes and learn from them
Keep reminding yourself that everyone makes mistakes, and instead of viewing them as failures, see them as opportunities to improve and grow. This mindset shift can help you become more resilient and less fearful of taking risks. If this is hard for you, consider giving yourself verbal permission to make an error. Try saying to yourself, “You are allowed to make mistakes. Just keep trying.”
💙 Release yourself from The Pressure to Be Perfect with Jay Shetty.
5. Seek feedback from those you trust
If external validation helps you feel good about your accomplishments, then share your work with a trusted friend, colleague, or mentor and ask for their honest feedback. Often, others will see the value in your efforts that you might overlook. Feedback can also help you realize where your work is already good enough, and help you improve in other areas without needing to aim for perfection.
6. Practice self-compassion always
Be kind to yourself and recognize that no matter how hard you try, perfect is rarely possible. And that’s okay! Acknowledge your efforts and celebrate your accomplishments, no matter what they are.
Did you try cooking a new recipe for a group of friends and family? Yes? Was it perfect? No? Did they still enjoy it? Yes? Then great job!
Every day, try writing down three things you did well or reasons to be proud of yourself. This act of self-compassion can help you reduce the pressure you put on yourself.
💙 Learn how to be nicer to yourself with Dr. Julie’s guidance on how to Replace Self-Criticism with Self-Compassion.
7. Focus on progress (not perfection)
Remember the main key here is shifting your focus from achieving perfection to making progress. If you need to see physical signs of progress, try tracking your improvements over time in your journal, or giving yourself gold-star stickers! Celebrate your milestones! Maybe you want to go to the gym every day, but you started by going Tuesdays and Thursdays. Maybe you did this for a month now… That’s worth celebrating!
💙 Practice Letting Go of Perfectionism from our 7 Days of Self-Esteem series.
Don't let perfect be the enemy of good FAQs
How can I identify if perfectionism is affecting my productivity?
If perfectionism is negatively affecting productivity you might find yourself constantly revising your work and never feeling satisfied with the results. You might also notice you tend to procrastinate, delaying tasks because you fear they won’t meet your high standards. This can lead to missed deadlines and a backlog of unfinished work.
What are some practical strategies for overcoming perfectionism in the workplace?
Overcoming perfectionism in the workplace involves setting clear and realistic goals. Start by breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps and focusing on completing each step well — but not necessarily perfectly. Check out these six tips to let go of perfectionism.
Prioritize your tasks to determine which ones require the most attention and which can be completed quickly, and then set time limits for each task to ensure you don’t get caught up on minor details. When you’re finished, ask your colleagues for their feedback. This can help you realize when it’s good enough.
Lastly, focus on completing tasks efficiently, and accept that the results don’t need to be perfect. This can improve your productivity and reduce work-related stress.
How can I balance high standards with being realistic about outcomes?
Balancing high standards with realistic outcomes involves acknowledging that, while aiming for excellence is important, perfection is unattainable. This can help you find a healthy balance that allows for personal and professional growth.
Set goals that challenge you but are within your reach.
Understand that mistakes and imperfections are part of the process, and don’t diminish the value of your efforts.
Focus on whether your work fulfills its purpose, rather than whether it’s flawless.
Be realistic about what you can achieve within a given timeframe, and maintain appropriately high standards.
What role does self-compassion play in reducing perfectionism?
Practicing self-compassion can reduce perfectionism by helping you to accept your imperfections and limits. When you’re kind to yourself, you can recognize that errors are a natural part of learning and growth, and this can help reduce the stress and anxiety associated with striving for perfection.
By treating yourself with the same kindness and patience you’d offer to a friend, you can relieve the pressure to be perfect and instead focus on making steady progress. Be your own cheerleader because more often than not, others won’t do it for you.
Try these five exercises to actually practice self-compassion.
Can therapy help in managing perfectionism and its impacts on life and work?
Yes, therapy can be helpful in managing perfectionism and its impacts on your life and work. A therapist can help you understand the underlying causes of your perfectionist tendencies and how they affect your behavior and emotions.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can be particularly useful in addressing perfectionism, as it can help you identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors. Through therapy, you can learn strategies to manage stress, set realistic goals, and develop a healthier mindset.
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