Perfectionism has a cost: learning to aim for good enough

I used to rewrite emails three times, then spot a tiny typo and start over. The work was fine, but my stomach still knotted. Perfect felt safer, so I kept chasing it. The chase never ended. Maybe you know that loop. Try harder, feel tighter, try harder again.

What perfectionism looks like day to day

It often hides behind phrases like just one more pass or I will send it after I fix this small thing. Deadlines slide. Joy drains. Small wins do not land because the goalpost lives on wheels. Friends and coworkers may see polish. Inside, it feels like walking on glass.

Why good enough helps more than you think

Good enough is not lazy. It is a clear finish line. Work meets the purpose, people can use it, and you still have energy left for the next task. I started trying a soft test. Would a reasonable person say this is done? If yes, I ship it. If no, I pick one improvement, not five.

Simple ways to practice

Set a timer. Give the task 25 minutes, then send or submit. If it truly needs polish, take one short extension, not an afternoon.
Pick a must have list. Three items only. Anything extra waits for version two.
Leave humane margins. Stop work 5 percent before empty. Future you will thank you.
Collect proof. Keep a note of times good enough worked. Read it on wobbly days.

I still slip and tinker too long. Then I breathe, choose done, and step away. The sky stays up. The work moves forward. Life feels lighter, which was the point all along.