Perfectionism is a curse. Don’t strive for it. Don’t idolize it. It sucks.

When those in a creative workplace strive for something perfect, they’re bound to get frustrated. Perfectionism quickly kills happiness, confidence, and even profit.

Here’s how.

The Two Methods of Project Management

I remember studying the two main project management methodologies — the waterfall method and the agile method — while in school, and my brain felt at odds.

Both had their merits, but I always thought it would be easier to follow the waterfall method.

1. Waterfall Method

Having all of the information at the beginning and being able to work through a project to completion without interruption? Sounds great!

2. Agile Method

But having most or some of the information and being able to flex and move with unexpected changes or edits? Also great.

The Waterfall Method Is for Perfectionists

The agile methodology really came about because it’s easier to know that mistakes are going to happen and to plan for the changes in client needs if you’re anticipating them.

Although getting all client information up-front and being able to work through it in your own linear and logical way is easier for the project management-minded folks, it’s not practical for what we do in a creative workplace.

I’ve always felt that for those in a creative work environment, you need the agile method to make sure your work leaves room for the unknown — and for experimentation.

Perfectionism just doesn’t fit.

Perfectionism Leads to “Over-Designing”

Some of the best feedback I’ve ever heard was about a former creative director I worked with. She was great at taking a client brief or idea and turning it into something functional. Nothing more. Nothing less.

“She’s a fantastic designer; she understands the brief and doesn’t over-design.”

Over-design? What does that even mean?

Over-designing happens when someone continues to fiddle or tinker with a product, project, or design.

By continuing to tinker with a design when it’s already “good enough,” you’re doing yourself a disservice. Not only are you billing extra time against your client hours, you’re also losing the focus by constantly second-guessing.

Stop second-guessing. Stop wasting your time. Obsessing about a design or project doesn’t make it perfect; it just means you spent more time on something when a previous version would have sufficed.

Expertise Is a Work in Progress

Experts are made from experience and self-mastery. They didn’t just get it right one time. Hell, they might not have even gotten it right the first few times.

But process shouldn’t follow perfectionism.

It’s always easier to work from something than from nothing. Instead of expecting yourself to get a project done at 100%, try to get done the 60% you do know, and then go from there.

I’ve often done this with something as simple as an email. “Hey, does this look good?” is an easier question than, “Can you quick learn the history of what leads this client is after and then type up a response that ‘Twitter ads’ aren’t what they’re looking for?”

Getting It Right Doesn’t Mean Perfectionism

Businesses that are just starting out with new marketing efforts sometimes just need to try something. Once you establish a benchmark, you can make small changes and try again. It’s the reason our content plans are drawn up on a monthly basis — it allows us to make changes year-round.

At 9 Clouds, having our niche means we have a strong understanding of what works and what doesn’t. But we’re still not perfect. We test (and sometimes fail) in order to ensure the best results for our clients.

If you try to make your marketing, design, or business plans perfect, you’ll be disappointed with the results.

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