Comments on: The Perfect is the Enemy of the Good http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/ Common sense advice on money saving tips, how to get out of debt, high interest savings accounts, cd rates, money market accounts, mortgage rates, money management and more. Wed, 22 May 2013 21:39:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Susan http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/comment-page-1/#comment-1538482 Susan Sat, 02 Jul 2011 21:40:12 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/#comment-1538482 Trying to find perfection is just another form of procrastination. In putting it off, we are finding a way to avoid situations that we find painful or unpleasant. "Analysis paralysis" will destroy your plans if you let it. Trying to find perfection is just another form of procrastination. In putting it off, we are finding a way to avoid situations that we find painful or unpleasant. “Analysis paralysis” will destroy your plans if you let it.

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]]> By: janeyjane http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/comment-page-1/#comment-1230392 janeyjane Fri, 04 Mar 2011 17:30:06 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/#comment-1230392 I am in a mess but inspired to take action - thank you for a great article. Perfection seems to have always been my enemy - time to say goodbye to it I think...in all areas of life. I am in a mess but inspired to take action – thank you for a great article. Perfection seems to have always been my enemy – time to say goodbye to it I think…in all areas of life.

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]]> By: Mrs. G http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/comment-page-1/#comment-252571 Mrs. G Fri, 19 Feb 2010 11:44:02 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/#comment-252571 "When you spend so much time looking for the “best” choice that you never actually do anything, you are sabotaging yourself." Could this also apply to relationships? :) “When you spend so much time looking for the “best” choice that you never actually do anything, you are sabotaging yourself.”

Could this also apply to relationships? :)

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]]> By: Dollars Not Debt http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/comment-page-1/#comment-250541 Dollars Not Debt Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:31:13 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/#comment-250541 Just do it now. Do everything now. When show you invest money....now. Don't wait for the perfect time. Trying to time things is a loser's game. Be an automatic investor. Sink money into a fund every month regardless of where the market is. Twenty years later you will be one happy camper. Just do it now. Do everything now. When show you invest money….now. Don’t wait for the perfect time. Trying to time things is a loser’s game. Be an automatic investor. Sink money into a fund every month regardless of where the market is. Twenty years later you will be one happy camper.

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]]> By: Oleg Mokhov http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/comment-page-1/#comment-203201 Oleg Mokhov Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:58:04 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/#comment-203201 "Invention is 1% inspiration, 99% perspiration." -Thomas Edison Hey J.D., If you want to do something, the best time to start is now. The sooner you start the faster you'll accomplish your goal. There will never be a perfect moment where everything is aligned. It doesn't exist, so stop waiting and <a href="http://olegmokhov.com/just-do-it/" rel="nofollow">just do it</a> (link to an article I wrote - hope it isn't spammy, just thought it's relevant to the topic). Choose the most important task to get your goal done (get dressed to go outside), then just start (step outside that door and walk). What are you waiting for? Just do it. Thanks for the reminder to avoid perfect and just start doing - otherwise, we never get anything worthwhile done, Oleg PS. I know Merlin Mann did a hilarious and helpful thing about <a href="http://www.43folders.com/2009/08/04/enough" rel="nofollow">doing creative work</a> over at 43 Folders - great talk about having enough and just getting started on a project that matters to you. “Invention is 1% inspiration, 99% perspiration.” -Thomas Edison

Hey J.D.,

If you want to do something, the best time to start is now. The sooner you start the faster you’ll accomplish your goal.

There will never be a perfect moment where everything is aligned. It doesn’t exist, so stop waiting and just do it (link to an article I wrote – hope it isn’t spammy, just thought it’s relevant to the topic).

Choose the most important task to get your goal done (get dressed to go outside), then just start (step outside that door and walk).

What are you waiting for? Just do it.

Thanks for the reminder to avoid perfect and just start doing – otherwise, we never get anything worthwhile done,
Oleg

PS. I know Merlin Mann did a hilarious and helpful thing about doing creative work over at 43 Folders – great talk about having enough and just getting started on a project that matters to you.

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]]> By: Susan http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/comment-page-1/#comment-197731 Susan Mon, 14 Sep 2009 23:42:36 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/#comment-197731 Like Im doing right now? Reading this vs getting any work done. ha I enjoyed it, thank you. Like Im doing right now? Reading this vs getting any work done. ha
I enjoyed it, thank you.

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]]> By: How to Build Confidence and Destroy Fear ? Get Rich Slowly http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/comment-page-1/#comment-167679 How to Build Confidence and Destroy Fear ? Get Rich Slowly Tue, 17 Feb 2009 13:01:19 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/#comment-167679 [...] seek perfection. Remember that the perfect is the enemy of the good. This is a huge problem in my own life. Somewhere along the way, I’ve become a perfectionist. [...]

[...] seek perfection. Remember that the perfect is the enemy of the good. This is a huge problem in my own life. Somewhere along the way, I’ve become a perfectionist. [...]

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]]> By: Jen http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/comment-page-1/#comment-155393 Jen Sun, 09 Nov 2008 17:15:22 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/#comment-155393 Thanks, J.D. I was reading this while tinkering with the first 3 pages of what is supposed to be a 20 page paper. I'd never heard that quote before, but it describes what I've been doing. You saved my day today! Thanks, J.D. I was reading this while tinkering with the first 3 pages of what is supposed to be a 20 page paper. I’d never heard that quote before, but it describes what I’ve been doing. You saved my day today!

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]]> By: Lynn http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/comment-page-1/#comment-132204 Lynn Wed, 14 May 2008 00:21:53 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/#comment-132204 I understand completely the art of procrastination when it comes to walking! This is how I fixed it: I start my walk each evening at 9pm. I have no distractions and my day is winding down, all the piddling around is done. I have shoes that I use mostly for walking and I keep them by my door, underneath the jacket that I wear for walking......the jacket is a HUGE old oversized cotton jacket that is FRIGHTFUL, but I love it cuz it keeps me warm, it is very roomy and my mp3 player can sit right in the pocket! Set aside time every night as 'walking' time. Keep clothes and shoes designated as 'walking' clothes/shoes. Keep them handy, maybe in a clothes basket. I walk 5-6 miles each day, sometimes taking my umbrella in a light drizzle, and it takes me until about 10:30-10:45. When I come home and finally go to bed, I sleep GREAT! Walking in the night is wonderful, the stars are so bright, and it is so peaceful.....you can really unwind and relax your mind. Now, I look forward to my walk each evening. Good Luck and keep walking! I understand completely the art of procrastination when it comes to walking! This is how I fixed it: I start my walk each evening at 9pm. I have no distractions and my day is winding down, all the piddling around is done. I have shoes that I use mostly for walking and I keep them by my door, underneath the jacket that I wear for walking……the jacket is a HUGE old oversized cotton jacket that is FRIGHTFUL, but I love it cuz it keeps me warm, it is very roomy and my mp3 player can sit right in the pocket!

Set aside time every night as ‘walking’ time. Keep clothes and shoes designated as ‘walking’ clothes/shoes. Keep them handy, maybe in a clothes basket.

I walk 5-6 miles each day, sometimes taking my umbrella in a light drizzle, and it takes me until about 10:30-10:45. When I come home and finally go to bed, I sleep GREAT!

Walking in the night is wonderful, the stars are so bright, and it is so peaceful…..you can really unwind and relax your mind. Now, I look forward to my walk each evening. Good Luck and keep walking!

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]]> By: What is a Roth IRA and Why Should You Care? ? Get Rich Slowly http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/comment-page-1/#comment-88532 What is a Roth IRA and Why Should You Care? ? Get Rich Slowly Tue, 05 Jun 2007 12:47:47 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/#comment-88532 [...] the perfect is the enemy of the good. It’s far better to open a Roth IRA now through any provider than it is to delay because [...]

[...] the perfect is the enemy of the good. It’s far better to open a Roth IRA now through any provider than it is to delay because [...]

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]]> By: rob http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/comment-page-1/#comment-84586 rob Tue, 24 Apr 2007 09:00:03 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/#comment-84586 From Hagakure - the book of the samurai: "In the words of the ancients, one should make his decisions within the space of seven breaths. When your mind is going hither and thither, discrimination will never be brought to a conclusion. With an intense, fresh and undelaying spirit, one will make his judgments within the space of seven breaths. It is a matter of being determined and having the spirit to break right through to the other side." From Hagakure – the book of the samurai:
“In the words of the ancients, one should make his decisions within the space of seven breaths. When your mind is going hither and thither, discrimination will never be brought to a conclusion. With an intense, fresh and undelaying spirit, one will make his judgments within the space of seven breaths. It is a matter of being determined and having the spirit to break right through to the other side.”

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]]> By: Lazy Man and Money http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/comment-page-1/#comment-84554 Lazy Man and Money Tue, 24 Apr 2007 01:16:03 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/#comment-84554 I found this is especially true in the case of <a href="http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/the-enemy-of-good-in-entrepreneurism/" rel="nofollow">entrepreneurism</a>. It stops me time and time again. I found this is especially true in the case of entrepreneurism. It stops me time and time again.

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]]> By: The Xophist Blogging » The Perfect is the Enemy of the Good http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/comment-page-1/#comment-84550 The Xophist Blogging » The Perfect is the Enemy of the Good Mon, 23 Apr 2007 23:36:40 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/#comment-84550 [...] over at Lifehacker writes When you spend so much time looking for the “best” choice that you never actually do [...]

[...] over at Lifehacker writes When you spend so much time looking for the “best” choice that you never actually do [...]

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]]> By: Ziptar http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/comment-page-1/#comment-84549 Ziptar Mon, 23 Apr 2007 22:46:31 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/#comment-84549 BAM!!! That is like the best thing I have read in years. As one starting out saving for retirement and with little knowledge of where to start... just getting started is good enough for now. BAM!!!
That is like the best thing I have read in years.

As one starting out saving for retirement and with little knowledge of where to start… just getting started is good enough for now.

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]]> By: John Bodoni http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/comment-page-1/#comment-84543 John Bodoni Mon, 23 Apr 2007 20:16:04 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/#comment-84543 <blockquote>Then I decided that the wind would be too cold on the back of my neck (I just had a haircut)</blockquote> Seems like a good reason to start saving money on haircuts... ;)

Then I decided that the wind would be too cold on the back of my neck (I just had a haircut)

Seems like a good reason to start saving money on haircuts… ;)

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]]> By: The Personal Finance Weblog http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/comment-page-1/#comment-84541 The Personal Finance Weblog Mon, 23 Apr 2007 20:00:55 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/#comment-84541 <strong>Other Voices: Links for 4/23/07...</strong> What they're saying... Free Money Finance: The bottom line is that you can save a TON of money using store and generic brands and their quality/effectiveness is almost always just as good as those of the national brands. The Simple......

Other Voices: Links for 4/23/07…

What they're saying… Free Money Finance: The bottom line is that you can save a TON of money using store and generic brands and their quality/effectiveness is almost always just as good as those of the national brands. The Simple……

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]]> By: samerwriter http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/comment-page-1/#comment-84539 samerwriter Mon, 23 Apr 2007 19:12:53 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/#comment-84539 Awesome post. I find myself doing the same thing at work. There's something I *need* to get done, and there's a lot of little things that I can choose to do instead. A week later, the thing that needs to get done, still isn't done. Awesome post. I find myself doing the same thing at work. There’s something I *need* to get done, and there’s a lot of little things that I can choose to do instead.

A week later, the thing that needs to get done, still isn’t done.

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]]> By: dimes http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/comment-page-1/#comment-84536 dimes Mon, 23 Apr 2007 18:36:49 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/#comment-84536 So did you actually get around to the walk or not? :-) This is the reason my finance files are a mess. I haven't decided exactly *how* to organize everything, so I haven't. Which is why part of my house looks like a Cathy cartoon. The finances themselves? Organized. The paper trail? No. So did you actually get around to the walk or not? :-)
This is the reason my finance files are a mess. I haven’t decided exactly *how* to organize everything, so I haven’t. Which is why part of my house looks like a Cathy cartoon. The finances themselves? Organized. The paper trail? No.

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]]> By: Ponz http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/comment-page-1/#comment-84535 Ponz Mon, 23 Apr 2007 17:59:28 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/#comment-84535 I do a lot of DIY projects around the house, and I tend to go overboard and get overly fussy. Lamenting this at work one day, a coworker gave me a bit of advice that was so good that I made a sign and hung it up in my workshop: "PERFECTION IS THE ENEMY OF COMPLETION" I do a lot of DIY projects around the house, and I tend to go overboard and get overly fussy. Lamenting this at work one day, a coworker gave me a bit of advice that was so good that I made a sign and hung it up in my workshop:

“PERFECTION IS THE ENEMY OF COMPLETION”

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]]> By: Maria http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/comment-page-1/#comment-84533 Maria Mon, 23 Apr 2007 17:39:12 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/#comment-84533 Thank You so much for this!! In January, I bought a daytimer/journal so I could literally keep track of my financial progress - my actions - and therefore eliminate the possibility of tricking myself into thinking I was on track. Well, there is no getting around the previous month of blank pages - or the financial slump that ensued. I just pulled it out and am getting everything back in order RIGHT NOW!! And just as an extra precaution, I have printed out your entry and am posting it next to my computer! Thank You so much for this!! In January, I bought a daytimer/journal so I could literally keep track of my financial progress – my actions – and therefore eliminate the possibility of tricking myself into thinking I was on track. Well, there is no getting around the previous month of blank pages – or the financial slump that ensued. I just pulled it out and am getting everything back in order RIGHT NOW!! And just as an extra precaution, I have printed out your entry and am posting it next to my computer!

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]]> By: Nathania Johnson http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/comment-page-1/#comment-84528 Nathania Johnson Mon, 23 Apr 2007 16:32:21 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/#comment-84528 There's a line in the lyrics of the song "All at Once" by The Fray that say "Perfection will not come." IT's SO True! Perfection never comes yet we can waste so much time trying to find the perfect ___________. A note about the exercise - after trying to get in the habit of walking, I've realized I'd rather exercise inside - jumping jacks, arm circles, crunches, pilates, etc. So sometimes the pursuit of perfection might be the avoidance of something we can change. There’s a line in the lyrics of the song “All at Once” by The Fray that say “Perfection will not come.”

IT’s SO True! Perfection never comes yet we can waste so much time trying to find the perfect ___________.

A note about the exercise – after trying to get in the habit of walking, I’ve realized I’d rather exercise inside – jumping jacks, arm circles, crunches, pilates, etc.

So sometimes the pursuit of perfection might be the avoidance of something we can change.

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]]> By: finance girl http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/comment-page-1/#comment-84527 finance girl Mon, 23 Apr 2007 16:21:42 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/#comment-84527 You so hit the nail on the head here. Indeed, stop worrying about "but is this the best time to buy?" or "what if...?" and just have the confidence to do it. You'll never know what the market will do tomorrow or the next day or the day after that. Just look at the fundamentals, make sure you understand them and buy. You so hit the nail on the head here. Indeed, stop worrying about “but is this the best time to buy?” or “what if…?” and just have the confidence to do it. You’ll never know what the market will do tomorrow or the next day or the day after that. Just look at the fundamentals, make sure you understand them and buy.

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]]> By: Sam http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/comment-page-1/#comment-84526 Sam Mon, 23 Apr 2007 16:21:31 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2007/04/23/the-perfect-is-the-enemy-of-the-good/#comment-84526 Great example of a common problem which is certainly applicable to finances, exercise, cleaning/organizing that closet/drawer, etc. I like this from the Tao Te Ching: Confront the difficult while it is still easy; accomplish the great task by a series of small acts. Great example of a common problem which is certainly applicable to finances, exercise, cleaning/organizing that closet/drawer, etc.

I like this from the Tao Te Ching: Confront the difficult while it is still easy; accomplish the great task by a series of small acts.

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