How to Know When to Stop (If You’re a Perfectionist)
Summary
- When I notice that I'm getting very different feedback from people, that's when I decide it's time to stop being a perfectionist.
- If everyone points out the same issue, then there's a strong chance that they're right about the problem.
- In creative work like writing a book or editing a film, people might offer various suggestions, but the underlying message could be that a certain part is boring or doesn't work.
- I listen to feedback until it starts to vary greatly, which indicates that the issue is less about quality and more about individual preferences.
- Before I finalize my work, I ask myself if I believe it's exceptional and if there's anything more I could do to improve it, even if I had extra time.
Video
How To Take Action
I would suggest starting by paying attention to feedback. If people keep telling you the same thing is wrong, they're probably right. So fix that problem first. It's a high-value action because when lots of people agree, it's more likely an issue that needs your attention.
Now, let's talk about knowing when to stop tweaking your work. When the feedback you're getting becomes really mixed, it means you're at the point of diminishing returns. It's no longer about right or wrong, but about tastes. This is your cue to trust your gut. It doesn't cost anything to listen to your own instincts, and it saves you time.
For creative work like writing or making videos, listen for the underlying message in feedback. If people don't seem excited and give all kinds of different advice, it might mean a part of your work is not engaging. Remember, the feedback is less about the suggestions people make and more about understanding the real problem—like if something isn't interesting.
Before you wrap up any project, take a step back. Ask yourself if it's excellent, and if there's anything more you could do. Think about if you had an extra month—would you do something different? If the answer is no and you can't think of real improvements, it's likely time to call it done.
So, to sum it up, fix clear issues first, stop when feedback gets too varied, understand the real message behind feedback, and always do a final check to see if you're truly done. These are low-cost, but very important steps to make your work the best it can be without overdoing it.
Quotes by Alex Hormozi
"If you get the same feedback from everyone that something is wrong, what they saying is wrong is usually correct"
– Alex Hormozi
"If you're a perfectionist and you don't know when to stop, the line that I draw in the sand is I'm getting very different feedback from everyone"
– Alex Hormozi
"People are good enough to say this isn't good and so I will continue to go until eventually it's all over the map"
– Alex Hormozi
"Once it's all over the map, then it means that then it's just preferences"
– Alex Hormozi
"It has to pass my test of like do I think it's exceptional"
– Alex Hormozi
Full Transcript
so if you're a perfectionist and you don't know when to stop the line that I draw in the sand is I'm getting very different feedback from everyone because if you get the same feedback from everyone that something is wrong what they saying is wrong is usually correct so it's like if you writing a book or you're editing a film there's going to be a moment where people like I don't know maybe you should do this here maybe you should do that like whatever the recommendations are irrelevant it's just that that part is boring or not right people are good enough to say this isn't good and so I will continue to go until eventually it's all over the map once it's all over the map then it means that then it's just preferences and which case I'm fine and then it has to pass my test of like do I think it's exceptional is there anything else that I can do to make this better if I had another month or another 6 months would I do anything different with this thing
