Picture this:
A dim-lit classroom awash in the soft glow of curiosity and raw potential.
The walls? Pulsing with a blend of human psych and creativity.
(Yes, walls can pulse. Work with me here. 🤣)
Enter Professor Jerry Uelsmann - our guide who pulls an experiment out of his sleeve.
Group A: Tasked with snapping as many pics as possible.
Group B: Tasked with capturing the proverbial unicorn - that one perfect, mythical shot.
The Semester’s Curtain Call:
Whose portfolio wins?
[enter drumroll]
Group A.
The prolific ones
The “more-is-better” crew.
This story is anchored in an actual study conducted by Professor Uelsmann at the University of Florida.
The outcome: “Practice doesn’t make perfect, but it sure makes better.”
Challenging the Paradox of Perfection:
If you were in Uelsmann’s class, which group would you choose?
While our desire leans towards Group A - our actions often lean towards Group B.
The “I’ll start when…” group.
“I’ll start when I have the time. “I’ll start when I have the right lens.” ”I’ll start when I have the right lighting.” ”I’ll start when I have the right environment.” ”I’ll start when I have the knowledge and expertise.”
Ah, the aim for perfection right out of the gate.
Yet the masters will tell you -
Mastery isn’t born from the shadows of hesitancy.
Breaking Free from the Perfection Paradox
We’ve all been there.
Hovering our cursor over the “Send” button, hesitating.
Why?
Because perfectionism is demanding.
But let’s pause and consider Professor Uelsmann’s study echoing, “just start.”
No, we’re not endorsing mediocrity.
Far from it.
Instead, we’re aiming for a more forgiving path toward progress, not perfection.
So how do we start?
Here’s the less-than-perfect guide I use to get me moving on a project.
1. A Modest Beginning
It’s not about aiming for perfection right out of the gate.
It’s about starting with manageable tasks and setting the wheels into motion - immediately.
2. The ‘Golden Hours’ Doctrine
Find that pocket of time when you’re most creative.
Your golden hours.
Cordon it off from the world’s noise and distractions.
This isn’t multitasking time; it’s your dedicated window to focus on your craft.
3. Graceful Fails
Remember Group A?
The story of Group A reminds us that mistakes are learning curves.
The quicker you make friends with failure, the faster you pivot towards mastery.
Embrace those teachable moments.
4. The Accountability Circuit
Flying solo has its merits. But makes getting the feedback hard.
Find someone - a friend, mentor, etc. to hold you to your goals.
Regular checkpoints keeps your work calibrated and your vision clear.
5. Review, refine, and iterate
Accept the CFD: Crappy First Draft.
The process is as much about revisiting, refining, and polishing as it is about creating.
Don’t underestimate the subtle magic of a second look.
Ok, let’s wrap this up:
No one ever conquered Rome, wrote a novel, or built a brand by just thinking about it.
It’s the doing that distinguishes the master from the mere dreamer.
Are you willing to trade the mere illusion of perfection for the substance of real progress?
Here’s to the courage of starting, shipping, and committing to keep going.
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