Project Management And The Search For Perfection

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3/22/2008

Project Management And The Search For Perfection

Eric Brown posted some good thoughts on perfection recently: Is Perfect worth it? I agree with Eric's thoughts and particularly liked this piece:

There’s nothing wrong with striving for perfection…but you’ll never reach it so why hold back a project or an idea trying to make it perfect? I say make your plan very good and start executing…you can tweak your plan while executing. Once you’ve started, you may realize that your original idea was flawed and find a more innovative way to accomplish your goal.

Read more here: http://ericbrown.com/is-perfect-worth-it.htm

So true! There is nothing wrong with striving for perfection, but you need know when "good enough" is a solid, viable starting point. I'm a perfectionist and a control freak (like a LOT of PMs) and have a hard time with "good enough" but, as Eric points out, you'll never reach it so why let that hold you back?

There's an older post in my personal growth category that discusses the cycle of perfection, procrastination and paralysis, it's negative effects, and outlines some tips for breaking through the trap: Personal Growth Article: The 3 P’s: Perfectionism, Procrastination, and Paralysis by Gina Hiatt. This article is a good read for perfectionistas who might feel a twinge of failure when not able to deliver a perfect project, plan or idea. Does this sound like you?:

Perfectionism can be defined as striving towards IMPOSSIBLY high goals. Perfectionists are caught in a TRAP -– they can never be good enough. They engage in rigid, black or white thinking about their own performance -– if it isn’t perfect, it’s horrible.

If those two sentences have you pegged you should definitely check out the rest of the post for some great tips on beating the cycle: http://ravenyoung.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!17376F4C11A91E0E!755.entry

posted by Raven at Raven's Brain under Personal Growth

Tags: Personal Growth, Personal Development, Perfection, Perfection, Procrastination, Paralysis

9:39 AM | Blog it | Project Management

Comments (4)

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	No namewrote: Hi,Do you have used LCD monitors, second hand lcd monitors and second hand flat screens? Please go here:www.sstar-hk.com(Southern Stars).We are constantly buying re-usable LCD panels,LCD recycle.The re-usable panels go through strictly designed process of categorizing, checking, testing, repairing and refurbishing before they are re-used to make remanufactured LCD displays and TV sets.Due to our recent breakthrough in testing and repairing technology of LCD, we can improve the value for your LCD panels. website:www.sstar-hk.com[cidiahcjbdihaf] Sept. 21
	No namewrote: (wow power leveling) And (wow gold) under the single-site, preferential policies! Sept. 11
	Ravenwrote: Hi Eric - I loved your post and hope you find something useful in the article from Gina Hiatt. It's more focused on personal growth but I feel it still ties in nicely. Mar. 23
	Ericwrote: Thanks for the link Raven....I'm going over to your other post now to read up on the 3P's. Mar. 23

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