Confronting Perfection (and Inaction) During an Afternoon At Barnes & Noble

A Key Reminder & Business Lesson Gained From Eavesdropping

First off, I don’t consider it exactly eavesdropping, as I wasn’t really trying to listen. These people were talking loudly.

So here’s what went down.

I’m sitting in the Barnes & Noble cafe, doing some work while trying not to be distracted by the Mystery section just across from me. Then I hear this man’s voice attempting (and pretty much failing) to whisper. In fact, his voice is rapidly rising.

“I told you I’d handle it when I have more time!”

The lady on the other end, who is actually on speaker, responds (kind of calmly but clearly frustrated): “You’ve been saying that almost six months. I haven’t even seen an attempt. At this point, just starting it would be better than doing nothing at all.”

He fires back: “You know that’s not how I operate. It has to be done right! And I haven’t been feeling it.”

And then she said something that made me root for her - not because I wanted to root for the woman vs the man (although that didn’t hurt) - but because I figured she’s my kind of people, i.e. we’re like-minded:

“Does it have to be done right or perfect? I think it’s the latter, which is another way of saying it will never get done!”

Him: “You know that’s bulls***! I just…”

I could tell you more, but not much more, as I began to tune out then. That last statement from the lady had me in a chokehold! I was thinking, that statement is a masterclass in itself.

Well, well, well.

I was kind of fascinated that I’d found a whole business/life lesson while, working and enjoying my Double Chunk Brownie (hey I subscribe to a different version of CREAM…Chocolate Rules Everything Around Me) in Barnes & Noble.

I was thinking about how many coaches, consultants, founders, thought leaders and actual businesses get stuck in, or even die during the constant pursuit of perfection.

The gap between “perfect” and “done” is real. The false claim that it “needs to be right” when right is really just masquerading as perfect. So not only does it get done, it often doesn’t even get a start.

Here’s the thing few tell you (although hopefully this is changing, especially if I have anything to do with it) about obsessing over perfection: your target market doesn’t need perfection. They need support. They need solutions.

They need you to show up unapologetically.

As I often say, none of that requires pretty or perfect.

That website you’ve been tweaking for five months, that may soon become obsolete? Publish the damn thing and improve as you go, based on feedback.

That course you keep adding “just one more module” to and second-guessing the value proposition? Meanwhile, 7-10 inferior courses have popped up and are selling like hotcakes because those creators value ‘done’ over perfect.

Not to mention, the problem those other courses solve is kind of urgent. You know…the same problem your course is supposed to solve, but your people got tired of waiting on your course.

That email you rewrote eight times? It’s sitting in your drafts while your competitors’ emails are in your prospects’ inboxes.

And don’t get me started on the videos. At least five of them are sitting in a different kind of drafts folder, waiting for more editing. Or perhaps more courage from you to just hit “Post.”

Perfection is rarely about excellence, although many have convinced themselves it is. No, it’s really well-disguised insecurity and fear.

Sometimes it’s not even a good disguise.

Photo by Vlad Hilitanu on Unsplash

It’s about being more afraid of judgment than you are committed to impact. But what happened the last time you were judged?

Did you have trouble breathing? Did your hair fall out? Did you begin to instantly age? Or did you just become uncomfortable?

While you’re perfecting, someone else with a “good enough” solution is building relationships, getting testimonials, making money, and actually helping people.

The most successful businesses and brands I’ve seen (and had the pleasure of working with)? They shipped fast, failed fast, adjusted fast.

That man in Barnes & Noble? It was clear that his wife was tired of waiting for what she needed from him.

Your target market, your audience is tired of waiting too.

With so much going on right now, they’re not going to keep waiting. Perhaps you’re willing to take that chance.

If not, I invite you to connect, or connect further. Subscribe to the Brand BREAKTHROUGH Experience! If you’re really ready to take aligned action, you can also book a Brand to Profit Call.

What are you perfecting that’s not actually happening?