“When Getting It Right Becomes Getting It Perfect”

I’ve always been someone who loves getting deep into the detail.

Delving into the numbers, cross-checking, making sure everything lines up, verified, accurate and solid. It means that when I produce work, it can be trusted — because it’s right.

Over time though, I’ve learned something important:

That same strength can sometimes tip over from diligence into perfectionism.

If you’ve ever worked with a “Blue” on the DISC profile, you’ll know what I mean — we like things to make sense, to be watertight, to stand up to scrutiny.

But that mindset, as useful as it is, can come with a cost.

Because while I would never deliver something late, the effort to make sure every detail was perfect often came at a personal price — long hours, late nights, juggling multiple projects and responsibilities trying to make everything flawless.

It’s sustainable… until it’s not.

What I’ve learned (and still remind myself often!) is that not over-stressing about the “final 5%” isn’t lowering standards — it’s being smart.

It’s realising that solid, accurate and delivered on time beats perfect but exhausting every time.

And the truth is, very few people are even looking for that last 5%.

They just want your 95%: thoughtful, reliable, well-crafted — and finished.

So this is my ongoing note-to-self:

Keep the diligence. Keep the care.

But let go of the chase for perfect.

Because great work delivered with energy left in the tank helps everyone — including you.