The Best Idea for Taming Perfectionism

Tracy Astle
2 days ago
3 min read

We’ve all been there—staring at a blank page, tweaking a project for the tenth time, or delaying a launch because it’s “not quite ready.”

Perfectionism can look like high standards, but often it’s just fear wearing a clever disguise. The truth?

Done is better than perfect.

On a recent vacation, I came across the saddest little mini golf course I’ve ever seen. At first, I couldn’t even tell what it was. I remember thinking, “Why are there all those oddly shaped concrete slabs scattered across the gravel?”

Curious, I walked a little closer as it began to dawn on me what I might be looking at. “No… surely it can’t be that,” I thought. But when I leaned in and spotted the holes—exactly the size of those on a golf course—I knew.

For a moment, I wondered if they were still in the process of building it. But it didn’t take long to realize this course had been there for quite some time… and it wasn’t going any further than that.

But here’s the thing—it was still there. Still open. Still giving families something to laugh about together on a summer afternoon.

And it reminded me of something Life Coach Jody Moore teaches:

“Do B– work.”

(Honestly, this funky little golf course definitely couldn’t even qualify as B– work. But, hey, it was usable!)

The Hidden Cost of Perfectionism

Perfectionism might sound noble, but it often stops us before we even start.

We hesitate to post that blog or video because it’s not quite polished.
We delay launching a program until everything looks “professional.”
We refuse to try something new because we might not be good at it right away.

We tell ourselves we’re just “being thorough,” but often, perfectionism is really procrastination fueled by fear—fear of being judged, of failing, or of not measuring up.

“Done” Is Better Than “Perfect”

The phrase done is better than perfect is more than a productivity mantra—it’s a mindset shift.

Doing B– work doesn’t mean being lazy or careless. It means moving forward even when it’s uncomfortable, trusting that progress matters more than polish.

When you finish something—however imperfect—it can bless, teach, and inspire others. The thing you never finish? It can’t do any of that.

Rethinking “If a Job’s Worth Doing…”

Many of us grew up hearing, “If a job’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right.” There’s wisdom in that. Commitment and integrity matter.

But somewhere along the line, “right” began to mean “perfect”—and that’s not the same thing.

Doing something right means doing it with care and purpose. Doing it perfectly means chasing an unattainable standard that often leads to burnout, self-criticism, and paralysis.

Two Ways to Stop Perfectionism in Its Tracks

If you feel perfectionism creeping in, try these quick mindset shifts:

Define “done” before you begin. Decide exactly what a finished project looks like—and stop when you get there. No endless editing or reworking.
Ask, “What would B– work look like here?” You might be surprised at how freeing this question is. B– work is often thoughtful, genuine, and impactful—it just leaves room for humanity.

The Freedom of “Good Enough”

That shabby little mini golf course wasn’t beautiful—but it worked. It was serving its purpose.

And sometimes, that’s exactly what we need to do: show up, serve, and trust that God can use even our “imperfect” work to make a difference.

When we release perfectionism, we make space for creativity, connection, and grace. We can still offer excellent service and pay attention to detail—without letting impossible standards hold us back.

So next time you’re tempted to delay something because it’s not perfect, take a breath and remind yourself:

Maybe your B– work is exactly what God can use to bless someone today.

✨ If perfectionism has been keeping you stuck, I’d love to help you find freedom from it. Email me or click HERE to set up a free coaching call—let’s get you moving forward with peace, confidence, and purpose.

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