Sometimes I find it even more difficult to finish a project versus starting one. But the underlying reason remains the same, I become a little bit obsessed with perfection.

Now, I have to acknowledge that we are trying to be as refined as possible on the backend of a project. I will argue that, when we become so obsessed with perfection, we often end up bending the spectrum away from where we actually want to end up.

In other words, we risk losing authenticity and substance if we are constantly chipping away at the core of our project.

Recently, I was required to submit a short video introduction as part of an application for a contract position. The ask was simple: film a 1 to 3 minute video on your phone that allows us to get to know you better. Sounds simple enough, right? Well, it’s not.

I must’ve shot about 20 takes over the course of two days. I was obsessed with giving my client a final product that I thought they wanted to see.

Finally, I just went out in the front yard with my dog, clipped my phone to the fence, and spoke candidly and from the heart to the camera.

I started to second-guess even that video. But I took another look at the simple assignment I had been tasked with and realized that I had nailed it.

In fact, there could never be a perfect video submission because I don’t know who’s reviewing it, and I don’t know the criteria that they use to grade it. Nor should we know these things as candidates. Otherwise, they would end up with some pretty generic and cliché home videos.

So I resolved to send in this final video, and felt confident enough in my background and initial interview where a two minute clip demonstrating my imperfections, and the fact that I am human could be just about us close to perfect as any of the video could be.

I did get a positive response back and the interview process is moving forward. So authenticity works!

It is critical to our success that we recognize perfection is not always 100% accurate. A few things are completely objective.

So if you have been putting something off for days, weeks, months or longer – it’s time to wrap that bad boy up.

Know your audience, even if it is yourself. Spellcheck, reread, or have someone proofread or demo it for you. And at the end of the day, make sure it is something you are proud to stamp your name on.

Get ‘er done!