The Perfectionism Trap: Why “Done” is Better Than Perfect

There is a certain heaviness that comes with trying to hold up the sky. We often carry burdens that were never meant for our shoulders, convinced that if we don’t do everything flawlessly, the world might just fall apart.

Welcome back to the gazebo, dear friend. Let’s take a deep breath of fresh air and talk about a silent thief of joy: Perfectionism.

I want to share a confession with you. The major reason I wrote my book, Dolly Duitt, was not just to entertain children, but because I, too, was a procrastinator.

The Mirage of “Perfect”

My procrastination wasn’t in every area of my life, but it plagued my paperwork. I wanted every note, every chart, every word to be perfect. But as we all know, there are simply not enough hours in the day to do everything perfectly.

I grew up with my father’s proverb ringing in my ears: “Anything worth doing is worth doing well.”

To a perfectionist, however, that translates to: “Anything worth doing is worth doing perfectly well!”

While this drive made my work exceptional, it also meant that time often ran out before I could finish. I would postpone tasks, waiting for the “perfect” moment to concentrate, a moment that rarely came. I had to learn a new, healing mantra:

“Done is better than perfect.”

By shifting my mindset, completion became the goal, not perfection. And you know what? Things still got done “well enough,” and my peace of mind returned.

Procrastination is Not Laziness

We often judge ourselves harshly when we put things off. We label ourselves “lazy.” But I do not believe procrastination is a sign of laziness.

For many of us, it is a sign of perfectionism.

On an emotional level, this need to be perfect often stems from insecurity. We try to match a standard imposed by others—or by society—rather than listening to our own rhythm. We tell ourselves, “Only the best is good enough,” and so we do and redo things, chasing an impossible outcome.

For others, procrastination signals a struggle with focus. Distractions act like weeds in a garden, choking out the flowers. We waste precious time on the trivial, only to rush the important tasks at the deadline.

We must cultivate the habit of focus. As the saying goes: “Keep the MAIN thing the main thing!”

Clear Space, Clear Mind

This principle of order applies to our physical spaces as much as our mental ones.

A messy house produces many challenges. It blocks the flow of energy in our lives. It creates hazards—things out of place can be a fall risk—and leads to the stress of losing important documents. But beyond the practical, there is the sheer aesthetic weight of clutter.

When things are in their right places, it opens up more living space.

There is a profound value to our mental health when we clear the clutter. “A home for everything, and everything in its place” is more than an old aphorism; it is a recipe for serenity.

When your environment is orderly, you save time, you minimize stress, and you create a clear space in which to function. (And, on a practical note, it keeps the bugs away!)

A Gentle Invitation

Today, I invite you to look at one task you have been putting off. Are you waiting for it to be perfect?

Give yourself permission to just get it done. Clear that one corner of the room. Write that one imperfect email. Release the pressure, and watch how much lighter you feel.

What is one thing you will choose to finish today, even if it isn’t perfect?