I’m not ashamed to admit, I’m a perfectionist. Yet, my job is to make sure things get shipped. Sounds counterintuitive, but I’ve finally found an equilibrium. Here are five ways I make sure I don’t fall into perfection paralysis.

1. Have conviction that there is no such thing as “perfect”.

Perfection is not something that exists within our limited human capacities, so chasing it is futile. If we agree that a “perfect” product doesn’t exist, that means the iPod, the light bulb, and penicillin are all imperfect. Imperfect products changed the world. Perfect products never saw the light of day.

Once I’ve renewed my belief, I’ll ask myself a series of questions. Sort of like a checklist. The first of those starts at the very beginning of the process, when I receive a set of requirements:

2. Have I made sure I understood correctly what the client wants?

It’s worth taking note in your own words - what do you understand from the client’s request? Run it back through them. Be as meticulous as you want during this stage because you’ll use it to lean on heavily once you’re onto iteration.

Once I’ve completed an iteration, I’ll revisit this question and follow up: does my delivery match my understanding of the requirements? If I pass this stage, I move on to the next question:

3. Do I think this is great, or do I think the client will think it's great?

There is some reliance on my own opinion here, which is dangerous, I know. But we’re also leaning heavily on point no. 2 now. Given my understanding of the requirements is truly aligned with the client’s understanding of their request, if I think the product is great, the client will think it’s great.

I never judge my work based on what I think the client thinks of it. That allows for my fear of being imperfect to kick in. Instead, I judge it based on what I think of it.

4. Have I given this my best shot? Have I really tried?

If you’re a perfectionist like me, you’ll know it’s impossible to admit that you gave something your 100%. “What if my 100% isn’t good enough?” “What does 100% even look like?” But I’ll be able to know when I’ve given something a really hard try. And that’s enough to clear my conscience. 

Being able to admit I’ve tried hard is crucial in helping me find peace in my work. Even if I pass point no. 3 and agree the product is great, if I didn’t try, my dissonance will eventually get the better of me.

5. Will I be happy to stand beside this piece of work and put my name to it?

I’m not the type of person who’s possessive over their work or likes to publicly own it. But it’s a good thought exercise to seal the deal. If I feel confident enough to have my name on it, it’s ready to be on its way.

I rely on this checklist just the way I rely on to-do lists. If I can tick off my checklist, I can deliver. If you have enough conviction in its guarantee to help you produce great (not perfect) work, you too can grow to trust the process. 

Just remember, perfectionism is fear, and most fears are there to be overcome. This might be something you can trust to help you overcome it.