Excellence vs. Perfectionism: How to Know When It’s ‘Good Enough’

I was greeted by a familiar feeling: pressure.

The kitchen table was covered with glue, paper, and scissors. Something was happening, and the air was thick with anxiety. A deadline loomed.

One evening, I came home from work late, planning only to grab a quick snack and head to bed. But as I walked in, I was met by my brother, hovering over the kitchen table.

He was working on a portfolio—something important that needed to be perfect. But after hours of effort, it wasn’t. The frustration was palpable.

As I stepped through the door, he gave me that look. The one that said, I might need your help. But he hesitated, thinking it was too late to ask.

Then came the classic question we all ask when we’re unsure— Is this good enough?

Deep down, he already knew the answer.

After three hours of work, the result didn’t match the effort. I felt my stomach twist—that gut feeling that tells you, I care about this. Then, an energy surge: We need to fix this.

When the Deadline Becomes Your Ally

There’s something about deadlines that sharpens focus.

Even amidst the panic, the fear, and the what-ifs, a small voice reminds us: We will get there.

I’ve spent years making things, and one truth has stuck with me—the better you get, the higher your standards become. It’s a gift and a curse. You produce better work, but you also become your harshest critic.

And so, I knew: I couldn’t just go to bed. Not when I knew it could be better.

From Disaster to Excellence

As you can imagine, there was too much glue and too little care. The edges weren’t straight, and the wow factor was nowhere to be found.

Starting from scratch wasn’t an option—there was only one copy of the professional photos. So instead, we turned it into a resurrection mission.

With a fresh plan, some obsessive focus, and a bit of creative problem-solving, we transformed a mess into something worth being proud of. Two hours later, we did it!

Excellence vs. Perfectionism

When I started writing this post, I wanted to talk about how great work takes time—how we shouldn’t expect perfection on the first try.

But as I wrote, the message changed.

At the end of that night, my brother looked at me with a mix of relief, elation, and disappointment.

• Relief—because for a moment, it seemed impossible.
• Elation—because we made it work.
• Disappointment—because he wished he had “just done it like that in the first place.”

This is the creative process in action. You make it, then remake it until it feels right. Occasionally, things come together on the first try, but more often, they follow a pattern of progress, revision, and persistence.

So, next time you get that nagging feeling of “This isn’t good enough. It can be better”—don’t panic.

Instead, tap into the magic of iteration. The ability to keep improving even when time is against you. The perseverance to stay up later than planned, push through resistance, and make it happen.

3 Steps to Making Great Work (Without Getting Stuck in Perfectionism)

🔥 Step 1: Trust Your Instinct
If something doesn’t feel good enough, it probably isn’t. But don’t let perfectionism hold you hostage—know when to move forward.

⚡ Step 2: Commit to Excellence
It’s easy to lower your standards when the deadline is tight. But your work should reflect your true ability. Aim for excellence, not unrealistic perfection.

🤝 Step 3: Ask for Help
You don’t have to do it alone. Other people have strengths where you might struggle. The right person will not only help but probably enjoy being part of the process.

What About You?

How do you push through when something isn’t quite right? How do you know when something is truly “done”?

Drop a comment or share your own strategies—I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Go forth and make great things.

— Andy