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Confidence / Stopping Overthinking / Lesson 33
LESSON 33 · STOPPING OVERTHINKING

Done Beats Perfect

Thirty-two easy ways to remember that done beats perfect, so you finish things and feel proud.

Done is better than perfect. Finish it and move on.

40 tipsEasy things to say7-day plan
Start with tip 1
Jump to the 7-day plan

40 tips that really help

These ideas come from Chatter (Ethan Kross), Don’t Believe Everything You Think (Joseph Nguyen), The Untethered Soul (Michael Singer), and everyday practice. Pick one tip and try it today.

Photo for the tip: Done is better than perfect
TIP 1

Done is better than perfect

Perfectionism feels like high standards but often means endless checking and delay. Research by Thomas Curran and Andrew Hill links perfectionism with anxiety and burnout. A finished, good-enough piece can be improved later; an unfinished perfect one helps nobody.

TRY THIS
Finish one thing today at “good enough” and send it.
Photo for the tip: Define "good enough" first
TIP 2

Define "good enough" first

Write what finished looks like before you start.

TRY THIS
List three criteria.
Photo for the tip: Set a time limit
TIP 3

Set a time limit

Work expands to fill the time. Give it a deadline.

TRY THIS
Set a timer.
Photo for the tip: Make a rough draft
TIP 4

Make a rough draft

Aim for messy first.

TRY THIS
Write badly on purpose.
Photo for the tip: Use the 80% rule
TIP 5

Use the 80% rule

Stop when it is about 80% there.

TRY THIS
Mark 80%.
Photo for the tip: Check once, not ten times
TIP 6

Check once, not ten times

One proofread is enough for most things.

TRY THIS
Limit checks.
Photo for the tip: Ask for one review
TIP 7

Ask for one review

One trusted opinion beats ten.

TRY THIS
Pick a reviewer.
Photo for the tip: Ship it
TIP 8

Ship it

Send, post or submit.

TRY THIS
Click send.
Photo for the tip: Learn from reactions
TIP 9

Learn from reactions

Real feedback beats imagined criticism.

TRY THIS
Note responses.
Photo for the tip: Improve version 2
TIP 10

Improve version 2

Plan a better next version.

TRY THIS
Schedule it.
Photo for the tip: Celebrate finishing
TIP 11

Celebrate finishing

Mark completion.

TRY THIS
Treat yourself.
Photo for the tip: Notice the fear
TIP 12

Notice the fear

What do you fear if it’s imperfect?

TRY THIS
Name it.
Photo for the tip: Test the fear
TIP 13

Test the fear

Release something small and see what happens.

TRY THIS
Try.
Photo for the tip: Allow mistakes
TIP 14

Allow mistakes

Mistakes teach.

TRY THIS
Make one on purpose.
Photo for the tip: Value progress
TIP 15

Value progress

Compare to yesterday, not to perfect.

TRY THIS
Note progress.
Photo for the tip: Separate worth from work
TIP 16

Separate worth from work

You are not your output.

TRY THIS
Say it.
Photo for the tip: Use "minimum viable" thinking
TIP 17

Use "minimum viable" thinking

The smallest useful version first.

TRY THIS
Define it.
Photo for the tip: Use batch deadlines
TIP 18

Use batch deadlines

Finish small pieces regularly.

TRY THIS
Plan.
Photo for the tip: Use public commitment
TIP 19

Use public commitment

Tell someone your deadline.

TRY THIS
Tell.
Photo for the tip: Use accountability
TIP 20

Use accountability

Check in with a friend.

TRY THIS
Arrange.
Photo for the tip: Scene: an email
TIP 21

Scene: an email

Two drafts max.

TRY THIS
Send.
Photo for the tip: Scene: a presentation
TIP 22

Scene: a presentation

Three practice runs.

TRY THIS
Stop there.
Photo for the tip: Scene: a report
TIP 23

Scene: a report

Check numbers once.

TRY THIS
Submit.
Photo for the tip: Scene: a meal
TIP 24

Scene: a meal

Serve it.

TRY THIS
Enjoy.
Photo for the tip: Scene: a decoration
TIP 25

Scene: a decoration

Done by Friday.

TRY THIS
Finish.
Photo for the tip: Scene: a CV
TIP 26

Scene: a CV

Update, proofread, send.

TRY THIS
Apply.
Photo for the tip: Scene: a post
TIP 27

Scene: a post

Write, review once, post.

TRY THIS
Click.
Photo for the tip: Scene: a song or drawing
TIP 28

Scene: a song or drawing

Share a rough version.

TRY THIS
Share.
Photo for the tip: Scene: a business idea
TIP 29

Scene: a business idea

Test with a small group.

TRY THIS
Start.
Photo for the tip: Scene: homework
TIP 30

Scene: homework

Hand it in.

TRY THIS
Move on.
Photo for the tip: Scene: a gift
TIP 31

Scene: a gift

Wrap, give.

TRY THIS
Smile.
Photo for the tip: Beware of "just one more tweak"
TIP 32

Beware of "just one more tweak"

Stop at the deadline.

TRY THIS
Close the file.
Photo for the tip: Beware of comparing
TIP 33

Beware of comparing

Others’ finished work hides their drafts.

TRY THIS
Remember.
Photo for the tip: Beware of procrastination
TIP 34

Beware of procrastination

Starting imperfect beats not starting.

TRY THIS
Start.
Photo for the tip: Be kind
TIP 35

Be kind

Imperfect is human.

TRY THIS
Relax.
Photo for the tip: Be patient
TIP 36

Be patient

Habits shift slowly.

TRY THIS
Keep going.
Photo for the tip: Seek help
TIP 37

Seek help

If perfectionism hurts your life, see a professional.

TRY THIS
Reach out.
Photo for the tip: Track wins
TIP 38

Track wins

Count finished items.

TRY THIS
Tally.
Photo for the tip: Reward
TIP 39

Reward

Small rewards for finishing.

TRY THIS
Choose one.
Photo for the tip: Close with done
TIP 40

Close with done

Say, “Done beats perfect.”

TRY THIS
Write it.

Easy things to say

When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many everyday situations.

FINISH

“This is good enough to share.”

LIMIT

“I will work on this for one hour.”

SEND

“Here is my best work so far.”

ASK

“Could you give me quick feedback?”

ACCEPT

“It does not have to be perfect.”

CLOSE

“I finished it, and I am proud.”

Your first week

One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.

DAY 1
Set a finish line
DAY 2
Set a time limit
DAY 3
Aim for good enough
DAY 4
Share early
DAY 5
Ask for feedback
DAY 6
Improve later
DAY 7
Celebrate finishing

Further reading

  • Chatter (Ethan Kross)
  • Don’t Believe Everything You Think (Joseph Nguyen)
  • The Untethered Soul (Michael Singer)

The tips above are written in our own words and are general guidance. The books are suggestions for further reading.

← All Stopping Overthinking lessons
Next lesson: Make Peace With Not Knowing →

More lessons in “Stopping Overthinking”

Keep going. Small steps every day make a big change.

← Previous: Decide Faster on Small ThingsNext: Make Peace With Not Knowing →

  1. What Overthinking Really Is
  2. Problem Solving or Spinning? The Test
  3. Know Your Personal Triggers
  4. The Late-Night Thinking Trap
  5. Why Your Brain Replays Bad Moments
  6. The Cost of Too Much Thinking
  7. Notice the Body Signs of a Spiral
  8. Name Your Inner Critic
  9. Ask "Is It True?"
  10. Spot the Thinking Traps
  11. Talk to Yourself Like a Friend
  12. Use Your Own Name in Self-Talk
  13. Write a Kinder Version of the Thought
  14. Stop Mind-Reading What Others Think
  15. Name Five Things You Can See
  16. Cold Water on Your Face
  17. Say "Stop" and Change the Channel
  18. The Long-Exhale Breath
  19. Stand Up and Move
  20. Count Back From One Hundred by Sevens
  21. Listen to One Song
  22. The Five-Minute Worry Window
  23. Write It Down and Close the Book
  24. Sort Worries: Can I Act on This?
  25. Make a Small Plan, Then Let Go
  26. Keep a Worry Notebook by Your Bed
  27. Zoom Out: Will This Matter in a Year?
  28. Share a Worry With a Friend
  29. Stop Replaying Embarrassing Moments
  30. Forgive Your Past Self
  31. Stop Rehearsing Arguments
  32. Decide Faster on Small Things
  33. Done Beats Perfect
  34. Make Peace With Not Knowing
  35. Ten Minutes of Quiet Each Day
  36. Move Your Body, Quiet Your Mind
  37. Protect Your Sleep
  38. Limit News and Scrolling
  39. Spend Time in Nature
  40. Be Here Now: Simple Mindfulness
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