When Perfect Becomes the Enemy of Good

Image showing the Cathedral and the Leaning Tower of Pisa under a clear sky. On the left, a dark circle contains the quote: “Don’t let the perfect become the enemy of the good.” Below it reads: “200 years spent trying to make it perfect – they didn’t succeed. But more than 650 years later, it still stands strong.” In the bottom right corner, the name Raymond Sebergsen is displayed.

Perfection. The word alone can make some hearts beat a little faster, while for others it feels like a heavy burden on the shoulders. For me, the pursuit of perfection has been a lifelong companion—for better or worse. I could probably write an entire chapter on how this ties into what psychology calls “nature and nurture,” but instead, I want to focus on the positive trait it has given me. That I strive to do things as well as possible and am deeply committed to the principle of “E+1” – Expectations + 1. It means always delivering a little more than what’s expected, preferably with a smile.

But this dedication comes at a price. It requires me to actively work on myself to find a balance between what I want to achieve, what I actually can accomplish, and what’s good enough. And trust me, that’s no easy task.

The Pursuit of Perfection

Most of us have heard the phrase “perfect is the enemy of good.” But what does it really mean? Think of times you’ve delayed something because it wasn’t “the right time” or because you didn’t feel the result would be optimal. For me, it often means going to great lengths to make everything as close to perfect as possible—even when those around me would have been more than satisfied with a fraction of the effort.

For example, I often feel like my work is never truly finished. Even when the customer is thrilled, I still think, “I could’ve done this better.” That inner voice is both a motivator and a source of frustration. And I believe part of the reason comes down to two key factors:

  • The E+1 principle:
    I’m deeply committed to exceeding expectations, which involves proactively solving problems, addressing customer needs, and delivering exceptional service. This brings satisfaction from knowing I’ve done my best—but can also leave me feeling like it’s never enough.
  • Lack of formal education:
    Even though I have broad experience and competence, I sometimes feel insecure. Without the “right papers,” I’ve felt the need to compensate by doing everything as well as possible—if not better.

The Price of Perfection

The pursuit of perfection has brought me many wins, but also taught me valuable lessons. As Leonardo da Vinci once said: “Art is never finished, only abandoned.” It’s about knowing when to let go and recognizing that good enough is often more than good enough.

Sometimes, things aren’t perfect—and that’s okay. Just think about the Leaning Tower of Pisa. More than 650 years after it was built, it’s still standing. People climb its stairs and admire the view—and yes, it still leans. Maybe it’s a reminder that imperfection can be both beautiful and lasting.

I’ve learned to balance my ambitions with realism, and to negotiate with myself by asking: “What’s good enough in this situation?” Most importantly, I’ve learned to give myself permission to be satisfied with the effort, even though I always see room for improvement. If the deadline is Friday and the work is done by Monday, I tend to spend the rest of the week perfecting it—if time allows. But often, I’m the only one who notices the tiny details and improvements. By focusing on what’s truly good enough, I can set the work aside when it’s done and move on to other important things.

Photo of the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the cathedral on a sunny day with a bright blue sky. On the left side is the quote: “Not everything goes according to plan, but sometimes that's where the magic lies.” Below is a paragraph: “Spending 200 years in construction to make it perfect, they still didn’t. But more than 650 years later, it still stands:” followed by a bullet point list: It’s a tower It still leans People can climb it It holds bells The bells ring The website https://hohoy.no appears in the lower left corner.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa: A living reminder that success doesn’t always follow the plan. More than 650 years later, it still stands—majestically crooked, with stairs open to visitors and a charm that makes it timelessly iconic.

Why E+1 Is Worth It

Despite the challenges, I believe in the value of always striving to deliver a little more—and honestly, I’m not sure I could stop now, as it’s become such a part of me over the years. This principle is about setting a standard that exceeds both my own expectations and those of others. It’s also a reminder that going the extra mile—even when no one asks you to—can be the difference between good and exceptional service.

Good Enough Is Often More Than Enough

So, what can you take away from this? Maybe it’s about giving yourself space to celebrate the good you’ve achieved, instead of dwelling on what could have been even better. Perfection can be an inspiring goal, but the ability to recognize the value in the good is what truly delivers lasting results—in both work and life.

For me, the pursuit of perfection will always be there, but I’m constantly working to find the balance. And maybe, just maybe, that balance is the real perfection.

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