Categories
Leadership

Done Is Better Than Perfect

Whatever you’re working on, unless you’re a brain surgeon, chances are it doesn’t need to be perfect. But it does need to get done.

I’m working under deadline to finish the final draft of my first e-book. It has eight chapters. I’m happy with half of them. Two others need a few tweaks. Two need complete rewrites.

Or do they?

In my mind, they’re not yet perfect. But, for my intended audience of global leaders who are new to their role, the ideas are fresh, clear, and fairly well-formed.

My audience will be better served by something they need now, rather than waiting until I feel like I have achieved editorial perfection.

I need to get it done.

What are you working on that needs to be done rather than perfect?

By Ken

Dr. Ken Cochrum (DMin, Bethel University) is Vice President of Global Digital Strategies at Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ) in Orlando, Florida. An avid cyclist and aspiring guitarist, he also holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas and a Masters of Arts in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary. He recently co-founded Indigitous.org, a movement passionate about connecting people to Jesus using digital strategies. He previously served as vice president of Cru’s student-led movements worldwide. He and his wife Ann spent 13 years in East Asia where they raised their two children. Ken blogs regularly at www.onleadingwell.com.

3 replies on “Done Is Better Than Perfect”

Looking forward to the ebook Ken. What is it on?

I find that the simple act to committing myself to meeting needs, even beyond my time and skill, forces me to get some things done well, but not perfect. If anything, ministry in the church helps me with this because the constant barrage of weekly needs keeps me pushing ahead. It is unrelenting, but good. If I didn’t do this, I would constantly be working to the perfect and not really accomplish all that much, and be must less helpful to others.

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