🔵 From "Perfect" To Making Money!

Issue #018 | May 9th, 2025

In partnership with

Hey, it’s Will, Welcome!

This week, we’ll explore a topic that has stuck with me like a persistent relative who drops by unannounced and seems to forget when it's time to head home!

It’s time to get out of your own way!

Let’s jump in……

Have you ever found yourself tweaking, polishing, and refining a project until it’s absolutely flawless, only to realize weeks later that it’s still not live?

You’re not alone.

As entrepreneurs, we sometimes wear our perfectionism like a badge of honor.

But let's face it: perfectionism isn’t doing us any favors—it’s often what keeps our business from reaching new heights.

The Sneaky Truth About Perfection: Perfectionism often whispers that your work isn't quite good enough yet, making it easy to feel like you need to strive even harder. 

But the irony?

Your audience might miss the small details that you've been focusing on.

What truly matters to them are the sincere, timely, and uplifting solutions you offer.

âś… Your “Perfect” Business…

Perfectionism might not always be easy to spot.

It can sneak in as overthinking, leading to endless revisions and hesitation.

If you find yourself waiting for everything to be just right, you might fall into the perfection trap.

Finding the Balance of Perfectionism: While aiming for high standards can inspire excellence, it’s important to remember that when those standards become unrealistic, they might hinder our innovation and limit our growth. 

The trick? Balance. Aim for "excellent enough," not impossibly flawless.

Your AI Power Prompt: (Cut and paste into your favorite AI Assistant)

"I am contemplating this crucial business decision [insert here], which I have been delaying due to my fear that it won't be perfect. If I choose to proceed today, even if it isn't flawless, what are the top 5 outcomes that could arise for my business?"

Quick Pro Move: Setting specific deadlines can be incredibly helpful when making decisions.

This approach works wonders because it prompts action, pushing you forward with a measurable outcome.

âś… Cost of “Perfect”…

The costs of perfectionism extend beyond missed deadlines; they impact every aspect of your business.

Lost Time and Productivity: Every minute we obsess over tiny details is a minute we could use for strategy, growth, or even a well-deserved rest.

Let’s keep in mind that getting things done always beats striving for perfection!

Stressed-Out Teams: Sometimes, when someone is too critical or controlling, it can create an environment where team members feel more anxious.

This usually stems from the sense that their every move is closely monitored, leading to mistrust and hindering performance.

This can lead to a loss of empowerment, a decline in creativity, and a dip in morale.

Stifled Innovation: In environments where mistakes are embraced rather than penalized, individuals feel more encouraged to experiment and explore new ideas.

This newfound confidence can spark creativity and lead to exciting developments in innovative solutions.

Innovation truly flourishes in places where calculated risks are appreciated.

Burnout: The constant pressure to maintain a perfect appearance can seriously impact a person's well-being.

The constant pursuit of perfection can sometimes create a cycle of stress, making us feel like we have to live up to unrealistic expectations across various parts of our lives.

Your AI Power Prompt: 

"I have identified two specific aspects of my personal or professional life [insert here] where perfectionism may hinder my progress. What three imperfect actions can I take right away to build momentum?"

Quick Pro Move: Encourage and embrace "safe-to-fail" experiments within your organization or team!

This helps create a nurturing environment where creativity and growth can thrive without the worry of failure, giving everyone a chance to be heard.

âś… Breaking Free…

How about we dive into something that many of us find a bit frustrating at times - that ongoing cycle of tweaking and adjusting that often leaves us feeling anything but "ready."

Does this hit home for you?

Here's the exciting truth: your success isn't about perfection. It's about being effective! I’d love to show you how to embrace that shift...

➡️ First Up: Embrace "Pretty Good"

You know what's even better than a perfect project that stays on the shelf? It’s an imperfect project that is making a difference in people’s lives right now!

So go ahead and start there; you can polish it up later!

➡️ Set Those Non-Negotiable Deadlines

Want to know a secret? Nothing kills perfectionism faster than a hard deadline. Share it with someone who will hold you accountable.

Make it real. Make it stick.

➡️ Small Wins = Big Momentum

Every single step forward deserves a high five. Seriously! Nailed that presentation draft? That's worth celebrating.

Sent that "scary" email? Pop the champagne!

➡️ Your Team's Got This

Let's be honest! Holding onto every task isn't helping anyone. Your amazing team might handle things even better than you imagine.

Just pass them the ball and enjoy watching them run with it!

➡️ Flip the Script on Failure

The "mistakes" you might be concerned about are your secret weapon! Each one presents a valuable lesson wrapped in an opportunity.

So, think of them as badges of honor to collect on your journey!

➡️ Cut Yourself Some Slack

Remember, even the most incredible success stories began with messy first drafts! So, be as gentle and kind to yourself as you would be to your best friend.

Your AI Power Prompt:

"Here’s a project [insert here] that I've been postponing for ages. What's the most straightforward version I can launch by next week? Please outline it in detail, specifying exactly what steps I need to take to expedite the process."

Quick Pro Move: Set aside 15 minutes every Friday to reflect on what worked, modify what didn't, and outline your next imperfect action steps.

âś… Scale Fast, Perfect Later!

Listen up - I'm about to share something that might shock you.

The businesses that are truly thriving right now? They aren’t necessarily the ones with flawless systems. Instead, they’re the ones who are sprinting ahead while others are still busy perfecting their logos.

Here's the raw truth about scaling your business….

➡️ Perfect Plans Die on Paper

While your competitors are still formatting their 50-page business plans, savvy companies are testing, selling, and generating real revenue.

So, which camp do you find yourself in?

➡️ Launch Now, Polish Later

Have an MVP (minimum viable product? It’s time to launch it! Today is the day!

Your customers will share their thoughts on what needs fixing; the best part is that they'll be happy to pay you while you make those improvements.

That sounds much better than guessing in a conference room, right?

➡️ Speed Beats Perfection Every Time

Here's a truth that might be a bit tough to hear: your "almost perfect" product sitting on your hard drive isn’t worth anything.

However, is that "rough" version out there on the market? It's actually bringing in real income!

➡️ The Real Growth Secret

Curious about what makes a business thrive?

It all comes down to rapid implementation, quick decisions, and fast fixes.

It's about being agile, not getting stuck in endless planning meetings or waiting for "just one more review."

➡️ Your 72-Hour Action Plan:

1. Strip your offer down to its core value

2. Get it in front of real customers

3. Start collecting cash and feedback simultaneously

⚠️ Warning: This Will Feel Uncomfortable!!!

If the first version of your work doesn’t make you feel a bit embarrassed, it might be time to launch it!

Embrace being uncomfortable; it’s all part of the journey!

Your AI Power Prompt:

"Here’s my MVP [insert offer here]: can you create a straightforward plan for me to launch within the next 3 days? Please specify exactly what steps I must take for a successful launch."

Quick Pro Tip: Run weekly 48-hour sprints. Monday: Plan. Tuesday-Wednesday: Execute. Thursday: Review results. Friday: Adjust and prep for next week.

Remember: Your competition is moving while you're perfecting. Every day you wait is money left on the table.

Regularly remind yourself and your team that progress and learning matter more than perfect execution.

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âś… Final Thoughts…

Here’s a little truth to consider: You didn't start your business to focus on being a perfectionist. Stop sabotaging your success!

You embarked on this journey to make money, create meaningful change, and build something bigger than yourself.

But here you are, stuck in the perfectionism trap. Let's cut through the noise and get real for a minute...

Every day you spend tweaking that "almost perfect" project is:

  • Another day without revenue

  • Another missed opportunity

  • Another competitor is taking YOUR spot in the market

Here's the game-changing shift you need to make: Perfect isn't profitable. Action is.

Think about it:

  • Amazon started as a basic online bookstore

  • Facebook launched as a simple college directory

  • Virgin started up with one rickety record shop

They didn't wait for things to be perfect. They moved fast and built empires.

Your New Success Formula:

  1. Speed trumps perfection

  2. Revenue beats aesthetics

  3. Feedback outweighs your inner critic

Here's What's Really At Stake: While you're refining that presentation for the tenth time, someone else is making sales with their "good enough" version.

They're enjoying success while you're struggling with perfectionism.

The real question is: how many incredible opportunities have slipped right through your fingers because you were so focused on making everything "perfect"?

Your customers prefer a helpful solution today rather than waiting for a perfect one next year.

Remember: While everyone plays checkers, you play a masterful game of chess.

And that's what makes the difference.

This Week's Hot Question: "What will you change to play a bigger game that will propel you to the next level? If you have no ideas, ask your reliable AI assistant for help. "

🔥 Want More Magic: Join Our StartSmart Exchange Community Here!

Until then, Think Big, Play Smart, and Build Strong.

To your success,

-Coach Will

Please let me know if you have any comments or require assistance. I read everything; you never know what doors might open from a simple conversation.

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