40 Years On, and I Still Believe: Imperfection Leads to Growth

Perfection is a tempting illusion. After decades of experience, I still catch myself trying to get everything just right—delaying decisions, fine-tuning small details, or waiting for the "perfect" moment. But history and success stories tell us something different: progress beats perfection.

The Imperfect Journeys of Great Minds

Many of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs and historical figures built their legacies not by waiting for perfection, but by embracing imperfection and taking action.

1. Jeff Bezos: Launch Now, Improve Later: When Amazon first started in 1994, its website was far from perfect. Bezos didn’t wait to refine every detail; he launched with a basic platform focused on selling books. Over time, Amazon evolved, tested, failed, and innovated into the global giant it is today. His philosophy? “If you double the number of experiments you do per year, you’re going to double your inventiveness.”

2. Steve Jobs: The First iPhone Wasn’t Flawless: The first iPhone in 2007 had its issues - limited battery life, no copy-paste function, and a fragile screen. But Jobs didn’t hold back the launch waiting for perfection. Instead, he put a revolutionary product into the world, gathered feedback, and kept improving. Today, the iPhone is one of the most successful products in history.

3. Winston Churchill: “Perfection is the Enemy of Progress: ”Churchill, one of history’s greatest leaders, led Britain through World War II with decisiveness, not hesitation. He knew that waiting for the perfect strategy could mean missing crucial opportunities. His words remind us that sometimes, taking action is more important than getting everything exactly right.

Why We Struggle with Perfectionism

Even with years of experience, it’s easy to fall into the perfectionist trap. We fear failure, judgment, or making the wrong move. But the truth is:

• Perfection delays progress. If you wait for the perfect conditions, you may never start.

• Mistakes teach us more than perfection ever could. Every failure is a lesson in disguise.

• Good enough is often good enough. Sometimes, 80% is better than nothing at all.

Lessons from My Own Journey

Even after 40 years in my field, I still have to remind myself: it’s okay to put something out there before it’s perfect. Whether it’s launching a business, writing an article, or making a tough decision, I’ve learned that momentum is more valuable than endless refinement. If you’ve been holding back on an idea, a decision, or a big move - this is your reminder. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to start.

What’s one thing you’ve been delaying in search of perfection? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear your thoughts!