Over the past few weeks, I’ve heard a recurring theme from work colleagues, coaching clients, and workshop participants: the struggle to make timely decisions and the desire for perfection. This challenge isn’t unique—it’s a widespread issue that often leads to indecision and stress. A friend shared Craig Groeschel’s concept, which he introduced in 2019, “GETMO” (Good Enough to Move On). The idea is simple yet profound: striving for an 80% solution can be more effective than waiting for the elusive 100%.
In my own experience, I’ve fallen into the perfectionist trap, believing that every decision and action must be flawless. However, this mindset often leads to paralysis by analysis, delaying progress, and creating unnecessary pressure; hearing this same concern echoed by so many recently made me realize the importance of embracing the GETMO philosophy.
Here are three actionable steps to help you make timely decisions and find your 80% solution:
Set Clear Priorities. Focus on what’s most important. Identify the key elements that need to be addressed to move forward and concentrate on those. This approach helps you avoid getting bogged down by less critical details. Ask yourself, “What essential components will drive progress?” For example, when planning a project, pinpoint the core objectives and resources required and address these first. This allows you to create a strong foundation and move forward confidently, even if some minor aspects are imperfect.
Embrace Imperfection. Accept that perfection is not always attainable or necessary. Striving for a perfect solution can lead to delays and missed opportunities. Aim for a solution that meets most of your goals and allows you to move forward. For instance, when launching a new initiative, focus on delivering a functional and practical version that can be refined over time rather than waiting for a flawless launch. This mindset speeds up the process and enables you to gather feedback and make improvements along the way.
Act and Adjust. Decide and act based on the information you have. Trust that you can refine and improve as you go. This iterative process allows for continuous improvement and prevents stagnation. You can maintain momentum and respond to changes more effectively by acting and adjusting. Consider a scenario where you need to implement a new system at work. Rather than waiting to address every potential issue before starting, deploy the system, monitor its performance, and make necessary adjustments based on real-time feedback. This proactive approach ensures progress while allowing for flexible adaptation.
By adopting these strategies, you can overcome the paralysis of perfectionism and make more timely, effective decisions. Embracing the 80% solution enhances productivity and sets a positive example for those you lead.
