Embracing Imperfection: Why Making Mistakes is More Valuable Than Perfectionism

Perfectionism is often seen as a virtue, especially in a professional setting, but it can actually stifle success and growth. Striving for perfection might reduce mistakes, but it can also hinder accomplishment because of the excessive time spent perfecting every detail. In the fast-paced world of business, delivering good work promptly is usually more valuable than delivering perfect work later. After all, time is money.

Take Jon Bon Jovi, for instance. At the young age of 21, he seized a fleeting opportunity that kickstarted his career in music. His ability to act swiftly, despite not producing perfect albums initially, played a crucial role in his rise to stardom. His band's third album, which included the track “You Give Love a Bad Name,” was not perfect in his eyes, but it was timely. That song became a hit, catapulting the band to fame and massive commercial success. If Jon Bon Jovi had waited for the album to meet his standards of perfection, his career trajectory might have been very different.

Contrast this with Tom Scholz of the band Boston, a brilliant musician and a known perfectionist. His insistence on perfection led to an eight-year delay in releasing Boston’s third album, which resulted in a lawsuit and the band being dropped from their record label. His story is a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of excessive perfectionism.

Understand which mistakes are acceptable as part of the learning and creative process.

Catch and correct your own errors.

Own up to your mistakes instead of shifting the blame.

Each mistake is a learning opportunity. Understand what went wrong and how to prevent it in the future.

Be honest about your errors with your team and superiors and apologize when necessary.

Ultimately, the most valued employees are not those who make the fewest mistakes, but those who are productive and proactive about learning from their errors. They understand that perfection is unattainable and that making mistakes is an essential part of growth and innovation. Remember, a life driven by fear of imperfection is a life half-lived. Embrace your mistakes, and let them propel you towards greater achievements.