Perfect is the enemy of good

Notes

Claim

Sometimes Perfectionism paralyzes action through unattainable standards stops us from acting completely.

Explanation

We fall into Binary thinking reduces complexity to false dichotomies, believing that something should either be done in the best possible way, or not at all. It can also be related to the Distraction by novelty undermines commitment and depth effect, which causes us to overestimate new things that promise us slightly better quality, but we don't measure the potential cost of switching to those things.

The "perfect" perception of "if I could just have this exactly the way I want it" can cause us to Procrastination is delaying intended actions despite preference to act and ignore the good that we already have, or could be doing.

Why it matters

Examples

Supporters

There's even something beautiful in imperfection wabi sabi, in showing that we worked hard to get somewhere, that it wasn't easy, that we faced obstacles and yet managed to get where we are What is broken can become more beautiful

Opposers

Open questions

Visual

Overview

🔼Topic:: Avoidance and Defense Mechanisms ↩️Origin:: The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos 🔗Link:: https://share.snipd.com/episode/13ecaae4-406c-4d34-a086-cafb7cdad49d