Imperfect steps lead to remarkable destinations.
If I tried to make everything I write flawless, I wouldn’t get anywhere. That’s the message I want to share with you today: while quality matters, forward motion is far more important than perfection.
Have you ever found yourself hovering over the same paragraph, agonizing over every word, wondering if it’s perfect enough to move on? I know I have. That search for perfection is natural, even commendable at times, but it can also be paralyzing.
Perfection Is Paralyzing
Perfectionism is chasing the horizon. No matter how far you go, that perfect endpoint always seems just out of reach. Creative work is much the same: expecting yourself to achieve a flawless vision before moving forward is not only unrealistic but can stall your progress entirely. First drafts, rough sketches, “messy” starts—these aren’t just acceptable; they’re essential steps in the journey.
Every draft that feels like it falls short is another step on the path to getting it right. To paraphrase Anne Lamott’s advice on “shitty first drafts,” we need those early, imperfect versions to find our true voice, vision, and, ultimately, our best work.
Breaking Free from Perfectionism
Letting go of perfectionism can be challenging, so here are a few ways to prioritize progress over perfection:
1. Set Progress-Based Goals
Instead of aiming to “get it perfect,” aim for achievable milestones: write 500 words, finish one chapter, or revise a single scene. This approach keeps you moving, making progress without stalling for perfection.
2. Practice the “Good Enough” Mindset
At some point, “good enough” is just that—enough. Try to give yourself permission to keep going, even if every word isn’t polished to perfection. Often, you’ll find that moving forward provides the perspective you need to refine later.
3. Trust the Revision Process
Remind yourself that you don’t have to “get it right” the first time. Revision is where the magic happens, allowing you to improve your work in stages rather than expecting flawlessness upfront. A systematic revision process gives you the freedom to make the initial draft what it needs to be: a starting point.
The Power of Imperfect Success
Writing a book is a lot like inventing something new. Just as inventors go through countless prototypes, drafts, and test runs to bring an idea to life, writers develop their stories, characters, and ideas over many imperfect drafts. And while we sometimes expect ourselves to “get it right” from the beginning, inventors know that perfection rarely happens on the first try.
Take Thomas Edison, for example. When creating the light bulb, Edison tested thousands of materials before finding the right filament. He viewed each so-called “failure” as a step toward success, famously saying, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Writing is similar: each draft that feels “off” is part of discovering the one that works.
Writing, like inventing, requires a willingness to keep going through each imperfect iteration, knowing that every step forward is valuable. It’s about letting your ideas evolve naturally and trusting that, with time, the story will take its own intended form. Embracing this process allows you to discover ideas, uncover themes, and refine your work in ways you couldn’t have planned from the start.
Progress Over Perfection
So, here’s my call to action for you today: take a step. Write something new, finish a scene, or submit a piece that feels “good enough” rather than holding back until it feels perfect.
Perfection is paralyzing, but forward motion is liberating. Keep going. The road is waiting.
P.S. I have several workbooks intended to help you keep moving forward. You can check them out here.
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