The Imperfectionist

I used to think progress required a perfect plan—a roadmap that accounted for every possible detail. But over time, I’ve learned something different: clarity often comes after we begin, not before.

The other day, as I stared at the mess of files on my computer, the task of organizing them felt overwhelming. I didn’t have a grand strategy, but I moved one file to where it belonged. Then another.

​Slowly, a structure began to emerge—one small step leading naturally to the next.

It’s the same feeling I get when cleaning out my closet.

I might not have a perfect system in mind, but by removing just one item, I start to see how the rest might fit together.

By the time I’m done, I often marvel at how things came together, not because I planned every detail but because I trusted the process of starting.

This mindset of "imperfect action" reminds me of an artist standing before a blank canvas.

They don’t always begin with a complete vision. Instead, they make a brushstroke, then another, letting the painting evolve.

Perfectionism can create paralysis, making us hesitate to start anything for fear it won’t meet impossibly high standards. Yet, by embracing imperfection, we open ourselves to the serendipity of discovery.

It’s not about settling for less. Research shows that perfectionism can lead to burnout and stress, as noted by GoodTherapy.

When we let go of needing everything to be flawless, we create space for creativity and growth.

The resilience needed to move forward, even when things aren’t ideal, often leads to outcomes that are far more meaningful than we imagined.
I’ve seen this play out in professional settings, too. Teams often hesitate to launch a project without a perfectly polished plan.

But some of the most innovative solutions I’ve witnessed came from those who started with what they had, learning and refining along the way.

It’s a concept that McKinsey & Company describes as strategic imperfection—a willingness to act boldly even in uncertain times, trusting the process to guide the outcome.

So often, the fear of imperfection holds us back. We wait for the perfect time, the perfect plan, the perfect opportunity—only to find that we’ve waited too long.

But when we embrace imperfection, even the smallest actions can propel us forward.

I wonder—does this resonate with you? Have you found clarity and progress in moments when you decided to act, even without everything figured out?