Perfectionism won't make you Rich

But taking action is a good start

While you’re working on trying to make your solution better, others are out there shipping product.

I can’t remember who said this. Could be Marc Randolph, one of the Netflix founders. Perhaps it was Justin Welsh. I suspect multiple entrepreneurs have expressed a similar sentiment.

It’s one of those phrases that comes up often, mainly because perfectionism, is the silent killer of entrepreneurship. It will make you doubt yourself, question the success of your prospective business, and ultimately lead you to endlessly procrastinate.

Think of all the valuable time you could be learning about how your customer interacts with your product or service that instead is being wasted through trying to second guess their response?

Consider how many times you could iterate, pivot, rework as a result of real data gained from getting out there and actually talking to real people?

But here’s the hard truth: perfectionism and action rarely go hand-in-hand. If you’re a perfectionist, you’re unlikely to wake up one morning and suddenly transform into someone who confidently embraces imperfection. You know the mantra: just do it. You’ve probably heard it a thousand times. And yet, instead of feeling inspired, you’re consumed by an overwhelming fear of the endless "what ifs."

• What if it doesn’t work?

• What if I get a bad review?

• What if something breaks?

If you’re wondering how to get out of the perfectionist mindset - here are some tips for you:

1. Set a "Good Enough" Deadline

Perfectionists love open-ended timelines because they allow endless tinkering. Counter this by setting a clear, non-negotiable deadline. Commit to launching your product, publishing your work, or sharing your idea by a specific date—even if it’s not 100% perfect.

Pro tip: Use the 80/20 rule. Focus on the 20% of work that delivers 80% of the value. The last 20% of "polishing" often isn't worth the delay.

2. Test Small, Fail Fast

Instead of aiming for a grand, flawless debut, start small. Build a minimum viable product (MVP) or test your idea on a small scale. This approach allows you to gather feedback quickly and iterate without the pressure of everything being perfect. Remember: failure in small doses is a stepping stone, not a disaster.

Example: If you're launching a new service, start with a smaller group of customers or a beta test. Learn from their experience and use that feedback to refine and improve.

3. Reframe Failure as Data

Perfectionism often stems from fear—fear of failure, criticism, or rejection. But what if you viewed failure as just another form of feedback? Every misstep or mistake is a data point that helps you improve. Instead of asking, What if I fail? try asking, What can I learn if this doesn’t go as planned?

4. Create Accountability

Perfectionists tend to work in isolation, tweaking and refining until they feel "ready." Break this cycle by making your goals public or involving others. Share your deadline with a friend, colleague, or mentor who can hold you accountable. The external pressure can help you prioritise action over perfection.

Pro tip: Join a mastermind group or entrepreneurial community such as the Get Work Done Club where members encourage each other to take consistent action.

5. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection

Perfectionists often dismiss their achievements because they don’t align with their high standards. Break this habit by celebrating small wins. Did you launch your product, even with flaws? That’s progress. Did you receive feedback, even if it wasn’t all positive? That’s valuable data. Recognise these steps as victories, no matter how small.

A Final Thought

Progress beats perfection every single time. Your customers don’t care if your product is flawless—they care if it solves their problem. They don’t want the prettiest solution; they want the one that works. So, while you’re overthinking, they’re waiting for you to show up.

Taking action doesn’t mean abandoning quality—it means embracing imperfection as part of the journey. Start small, test often, and remember: the sooner you act, the sooner you learn, grow, and improve.

As the saying goes, done is better than perfect.

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