Momentum beats perfection. I read these words just this morning, and immediately I thought of all the times I’ve held my own progress hostage in the search for perfection. Exactly how many times have I actually achieved that elusive ideal? Zip, zilch, nada. Instead, projects often take far too long, become more frustrating than they need to be, and—if I’m really honest—the joy gets sucked right out of them. Who are the people demanding this perfection from me? Just me… just me.

I recognize that sometimes perfection is just the idea that I can make it “a little better.” Instead of stepping back and acknowledging that it’s good, I keep tinkering. You know it’s gone too far when a child says, “Your painting looks great—don’t try to make it better and ruin it.”  Out of the moth of babes! 😆

I was introduced to the idea of maximizing. I knew the activity—looking for the absolute best—but I didn’t know it had a name. Maximizing is that urge to keep searching, keep doing, even when you already found what would suffice. Like finding the right shirt in the first store, then feeling compelled to check every other store before committing. Time and energy wasted.

The better approach? Sufficing. Know your criteria, and once it’s met, stop. Maximizing is a time-drawing search for perfection. Sufficing is time-saving momentum.

It has been easier to start implementing this idea than I thought. Being aware of the thought that whispers, “Let me keep looking,” is the moment to ask: have I met the criteria? If yes, it’s time to say enough—and move on.

What project in your life are you holding hostage in the search for perfection? What would happen if you gave yourself permission to just keep moving?