Perfect means that something is both complete and ideal. Completing a task, project, or object like a painting can be relatively easy. It may take time and effort, but it can be done. A product is generally easy to judge that it has been completed. A bridge that connects the river banks, a portrait that accurately represents the subject, or a report with all requested data may all be considered complete.

But what of ideal? Is it possible to bound or define the ideal in such a way that it can achieve? The ideal is subjective, and the Oxford Language dictionary defines it as “a person or thing regarded as perfect,” making the definition of both perfect and ideal a bit circular in their logic. If we take the ideal as perfection, the person trying to complete the task will never get there. It’s always possible to add one more embellishment or data set to improve the result. You could work on it for years and never achieve some subjective notion of perfection.

Have you ever found yourself in this place? Waiting or hoping to add one more touch to a project, so you feel it is perfect? Have you held yourself back from starting a new endeavor, such as a business, a podcast, or writing that great human novel because you thought it wasn’t… “enough?”

Let’s try “fit to purpose” instead of perfection. Does the goal of your project fit its purpose? Does the bridge hold enough weight to last for decades and allow all the traffic across? Have you the wherewithal to get a new business off the ground with a line of sight to make it work for some immediate needs? I’m not suggesting you settle; I tell you, “Do the work.” The rest will come.

Onward.