Perfection is a plague

April 19, 2025

“It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life… perfectionism is based on the obsessive belief that if you run carefully enough, hitting each stepping stone just right, you won’t have to die. The truth is that you will die anyway and that a lot of people who aren’t even looking at their feet are going to do a whole lot better than you, and have a lot more fun while they’re doing it.” - Oliver Burkeman

This one is pulled from Oliver’s book Help.

Perfection for perfection’s sake is a nasty spiral and perfection in pursuit of others’ approval is a worthless endeavor. While you’re trying to hit every stone, no one is even paying attention to you.

Perfection is a plague. Lose your Spotlight Syndrome, you’ll be happier and get a lot more done.