The Perfect Flaw

“Done is better than perfect.” We’ve heard the phrase. We’ve probably said it. But living by it? That’s the real challenge. For years, design culture has quietly idolized perfectionism. Flawless decks. Pixel-perfect prototypes. Infinite iterations. The myth that great work must be pristine has not only slowed down creative momentum, it’s quietly burned out entire teams.

But something’s shifting.

More designers are stepping into a new way of working—one that values progress over polish, clarity over complexity, and impact over idealism. It’s the rise of post-perfectionism, and it’s saving our sanity.

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It’s the rise of post-perfectionism, and it’s saving our sanity.

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This isn’t a rejection of high standards. It’s a rejection of paralysis. Perfectionism, research shows, doesn’t actually improve outcomes—it delays them. The American Psychological Association links perfectionism to anxiety, depression, and chronic stress. Harvard Business Review notes that the most effective teams don’t obsess over doing things perfectly—they ship, they learn, they improve. In other words, “good enough” isn’t a cop-out—it’s a strategy.
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In other words, “good enough” isn’t a cop-out—it’s a strategy.

At a small studio, we’ve talked about this before. In Vulnerable Brilliance, we explored the value of showing up, even when things feel unfinished. In My Creative Marathon, we emphasized pace over perfection. These weren’t just feel-good ideas. They were design survival skills.

The post-perfectionism movement redefines what creative success looks like. It’s not about flawless first drafts—it’s about clear intentions, authentic voice, and the courage to stop tweaking. Strategic imperfection invites feedback. It leaves room for evolution. And most importantly, it lets us move forward. Because at some point, more revisions just become fear in disguise.

Because at some point, more revisions just become fear in disguise.

And there’s freedom in that. When we allow ourselves to be unfinished, we make room for other people to participate. We invite critique, conversation, collaboration. We let design breathe. The best work we’ve made as a team didn’t come from grinding alone—it came from releasing control, sharing early, and improving together.

There will always be room for refinement. But perfect isn’t the destination—it’s the delay. Let’s aim instead for real, thoughtful, and alive. Work that reflects the moment it was made in. Work that doesn’t wait to be flawless to matter.

Peace!

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