Better Than Perfect

Doing things in a way you enjoy beats doing them the perfect way. We all have conceptions of how something ought to be done, and these conceptions are often tedious. Perfection takes work, energy, and time. So, we think that if we want to reach perfection, we need to put in more energy, more time, more effort—more fatigue.

But what if, instead of asking, What would it take to create a perfect video in a week?, I asked myself, What would it take to enjoy creating a video in a week? How would the outcome differ?

There's evidence showing that being in a state of play, a state of fun, can actually result in more creative, interesting, and innovative outcomes (something Ali Abdaal talks about in his book). But beyond that, it means we’ll keep going. It means we experience joy in our lives (which is underrated), and we experience less fatigue—perhaps even avoid burnout altogether. So, what would it look like to produce a video in a way I enjoy? I think it starts by dialing back perfection—not overthinking each minute detail, creating the storyline in a way I find fun and interesting. And I’m learning that if I do that, I might end up with more creative outcomes, which could lead to something better than perfect.

“Better than perfect” sounds odd, but it strangely makes sense. Perfect means following an outlined, rigid path of what a “perfect” artwork or writing or video should look like. But that’s based on what’s known, on what others deem perfect, and it leads to known outcomes. Creative, unknown outcomes come from a more playful approach.

It’s rarely those who follow the pre-drawn steps to perfection that gain our admiration for their creativity. It’s often those who enjoy what they’re doing, who play beyond the lines. So, have fun in whatever you’re doing. You’re more likely to keep at it, and you may even end up with something better than perfect.

Stay playful,

Naser