Motivation Monday - Is PERFECTION holding you back?

Walsh College

29 Jul 202401:51

Summary

TLDRIn this insightful message, the speaker emphasizes that perfection is not necessary for achieving amazing outcomes, especially in higher education and entrepreneurship. They argue that action and continuous improvement are more crucial than waiting for readiness or confidence, which often follow after taking steps forward. The speaker encourages leaders and aspiring students to embrace the discomfort of feeling unprepared, highlighting that true growth and confidence come from moving the needle and adapting through experience. This mindset is essential for high performers aiming to make significant strides in their personal and professional lives.

Takeaways

🌟 Imperfection is a stepping stone to greatness: The speaker emphasizes that striving for perfection can be limiting, and instead, embracing imperfection can lead to amazing results.
🏫 Higher education's perfection trap: The speaker points out that the academic environment often encourages a pursuit of top grades, which can be a barrier to real-world success.
💼 Business and entrepreneurship thrive on imperfection: In the business world, launching with imperfections is common and necessary for growth through testing, pivoting, and continuous improvement.
🔍 Seeing the bigger picture: The speaker encourages looking beyond immediate perfection to understand how a project or idea can evolve and improve over time.
🚀 Action over perfection: Holding back due to the pursuit of perfection is counterproductive; taking action and then iterating based on feedback is more effective.
📚 Editing and reviewing are iterative processes: The speaker uses the example of editing a book or paper to illustrate that perfection is an ongoing process, not a starting point.
🎓 Education as a continuous journey: The speaker suggests that waiting until you feel 'ready' for a degree program is a mistake; the right time is often when you feel a pull to do more.
💡 Confidence comes from action: The speaker argues that confidence is not a prerequisite for action but rather a result of taking action and seeing progress.
🌱 Growth mindset over fixed mindset: The speaker implies that a growth mindset, which embraces learning and improvement, is more beneficial than a fixed mindset focused on initial perfection.
🏁 Taking the leap: The speaker encourages listeners to dive into new ventures or educational pursuits, suggesting that the feeling of being 'not ready' is often a sign that you are ready to take the next step.

Q & A

Why is it important to not wait for perfection in higher education?
-It's important because the real world, especially in business and entrepreneurship, rarely sees perfect outcomes from the start. The process involves testing, pivoting, and continuous improvement.
What is the common mindset in higher education regarding grades?
-The common mindset is to chase an 'A' or 'A+', aiming for perfection in everything that is put out into the world.
How does the script suggest we should approach business and entrepreneurship?
-The script suggests that we should approach business and entrepreneurship with a mindset of testing, pivoting, and adjusting, rather than waiting for perfection.
What is the script's stance on the idea of waiting until something is perfect before releasing it?
-The script discourages this idea, emphasizing that very few things leave the gate perfectly and that improvement often comes after exposure to the real world.
What does the script suggest we often do that holds us back?
-The script suggests that chasing perfection often holds us back, preventing us from taking action and making improvements based on real-world feedback.
Why is continuous improvement more important than perfection in the context of the script?
-Continuous improvement is more important because it allows for adaptation and growth, which are essential in dynamic fields like business and entrepreneurship.
What does the script imply about the timing of taking action on new endeavors?
-The script implies that the right time to take action is when you feel a pull forward, not when you feel ready, as readiness often comes after taking the first step.
What is the script's view on when confidence should come in the process of pursuing goals?
-According to the script, confidence should come as a byproduct of taking action and making progress, not before.
How does the script relate the feeling of 'not being ready' to the decision to pursue a degree or a new venture?
-The script suggests that the feeling of 'not being ready' is actually a sign that it might be the right time to dive into a new venture or degree program, as high performers often act when they feel pulled forward.
What characteristic of high performers is highlighted in the script?
-High performers are characterized by their willingness to take action and move forward without waiting for complete confidence or readiness.
What advice does the script give for overcoming the fear of not being perfect?
-The script advises to focus on taking action and pursuing continuous improvement, rather than being held back by the fear of imperfection.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 Embracing Imperfection for Growth

This paragraph emphasizes the importance of recognizing that perfection is not a prerequisite for success, especially in higher education and entrepreneurship. The speaker, who works in higher education, challenges the notion of always striving for an 'A' or 'A+', suggesting that the real world demands flexibility and adaptability. The speaker encourages taking action and pursuing continuous improvement rather than being held back by the pursuit of perfection. They highlight that entrepreneurs and leaders often act without feeling fully prepared, as readiness and confidence come as a result of taking action. The message is to dive into new ventures, such as a degree program, despite the feeling of being unprepared, as this is a sign that one is ready to make a significant leap in leadership.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Perfection

Perfection in this context refers to the pursuit of flawlessness or the highest possible quality in one's work or endeavors. The script emphasizes that perfection is not a prerequisite for success, especially in higher education and entrepreneurship. It suggests that striving for perfection can often hinder progress and action, as it can lead to indecision and procrastination. For example, the speaker mentions how people might delay starting a degree program or completing a project due to a desire for perfection.

💡Higher Education

Higher education is the post-secondary level of education, typically involving universities and colleges. In the script, higher education is used as a backdrop to discuss the pressure to achieve high grades (A or A+) and the unrealistic expectation of perfection. The speaker contrasts this with the realities of business and entrepreneurship, where imperfections are expected and used as opportunities for learning and improvement.

💡Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is the process of designing, launching, and running a new business, which typically involves significant risk and innovation. The script highlights that in entrepreneurship, few things are perfect from the start. Instead, it's about testing, pivoting, and adjusting based on feedback and experience. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to take action and learn from imperfections, rather than waiting for the perfect moment to launch.

💡Testing

Testing in this context refers to the process of trying out ideas or products to see how they perform in real-world conditions. The script uses testing as an example of how entrepreneurs and business leaders can learn and improve their offerings. It suggests that testing is a crucial part of the process, allowing for adjustments and improvements based on actual performance, rather than theoretical perfection.

💡Pivot

Pivot here means to change direction or strategy in response to new information or challenges. The script emphasizes that in business and entrepreneurship, it's essential to be flexible and willing to pivot when necessary. This concept is tied to the idea that initial plans or products may not be perfect and may require adjustments to succeed.

💡Adjust

Adjust in this context means to make changes or modifications to something in order to improve it or to make it suitable for a new purpose. The script suggests that adjusting is a natural part of the entrepreneurial process, where initial ideas or products may need to be tweaked based on feedback or new insights.

💡Assess

Assess in this context refers to the act of evaluating or judging something carefully. The script uses the term to describe the process of looking at a product or idea critically to determine how it can be improved. This is a key step in the continuous improvement cycle, where entrepreneurs and leaders evaluate their work and make necessary changes.

💡Continuous Improvement

Continuous improvement is the ongoing process of enhancing products, services, or processes to increase their effectiveness and efficiency. The script contrasts the pursuit of perfection with the pursuit of continuous improvement, suggesting that the latter is a more realistic and productive approach. It implies that improvement is an ongoing journey, not a one-time achievement.

💡Action

Action in this context refers to taking steps or measures to achieve an end or to make something happen. The script emphasizes the importance of taking action over waiting for the perfect conditions. It suggests that action is what leads to progress and learning, rather than endless preparation or planning.

💡Leadership

Leadership in this context refers to the ability to guide and influence others towards achieving a common goal. The script connects leadership with the willingness to take action and make decisions, even when the outcome is uncertain. Leaders are portrayed as those who are not deterred by the lack of perfection but are motivated by the opportunity to learn and grow.

💡Confidence

Confidence in this context is the feeling or belief in one's abilities or qualities, often resulting from previous achievements or experiences. The script suggests that confidence is not something that precedes action but rather something that develops as a result of taking action. It implies that feeling ready or confident is often a byproduct of stepping out and making an effort.

Highlights

Things do not have to be perfect to be amazing.

In higher education, there is a tendency to chase perfection, often aiming for an A or A+.

In business and entrepreneurship, very few things leave perfectly; they are meant to be tested, pivoted, adjusted, and assessed.

Perfection should not hold you back; action should be taken with a focus on continuous improvement.

Assessing and improving often happens after putting things out into the world.

Chasing perfection can lead to holding oneself back from taking necessary actions.

Entrepreneurs and leaders rarely feel ready to take big steps; readiness comes from taking action.

Confidence is a byproduct of taking action and moving forward.

Feeling unsure about taking the next step often indicates it is the right time to act.

High performers dive into opportunities despite not feeling ready.

Confidence follows after making the leap and moving the needle in life.

Perfection is less important than progress and action in achieving success.

Reflect on what tasks you are delaying due to a pursuit of perfection.

Consider taking action in areas where you feel pulled to do more, even if you don't feel ready.

Leaders and entrepreneurs act despite doubts, moving towards continuous improvement.