(This column is posted at www.StevenSavage.com, Steve’s LinkedIn, and Steve’s Tumblr)
More on my use of “Agile” and Scrum in my life!
Perfection is the nemesis of success. The Perfect isn’t just the enemy of the good – sometimes the good is the enemy of ever accomplishing anything. Trying to get everything right can kill you, and sometimes even trying to get it really good is a barrier.
Sometimes you just have to complete something, review it, and improve it or do it again. Reviews are what let you get things done right – not trying to be perfect (which is not the same as being competent).
I learned this in my Agile Life efforts in, of all things – cleaning.
Cleaning is a regular effort – Business As Usual if you want to use bizspeak. It’s also something that may not always go perfect, from a difficult stain to not having a box to throw junk in. It’s also hard to get right as there’s always something else to do if you want to get obsessive.
So I had to do some cleaning and encountered a difficult issue in, of all things, the shower – nasty little stain. I didn’t have the proper cleaner, it seemed ridiculous to run out and buy it for five minutes work, and . . . I let it go. I’d get the stain cleaner at my next grocery run and get it next week.
By accepting yes, this stain wasn’t going to be a disaster, I avoided a half hour of running around for five minutes work I did the next week. Plus I learned to keep certain cleaning supplies on hand.
An agile way to do things – learn and improve and don’t sweat every detail. Delivering, review, and processing what you learn means you get better and waste less time.
Now cleaning is kind of a ridiculous example, but consider other places this applies:
- If you’re writing something there’s only so right it’s going to be. That’s what editors, pre-readers, and just regular improvement will bring.
- If you’re decorating the apartment do not think you’ll get it right the first time. Do your best and review it.
- If you’re working on a web page and a photographer is late maybe you can make due with current photos – or what they sent you.
Finally, I’d note that if you’re doing something regularly – updating a website, cooking, etc. this is a REALLY good place to learn to let it go. Things that might not be perfect can get a bit more perfected next run.
I’d refer to the 10th Agile principle here: “Simplicity–the art of maximizing the amount of work not done–is essential.”
(By the way I do plenty of books for coaching people to improve in various areas, which may also help you out!)
– Steve