Rushing through the problem-solving process isn’t the only way we try to avoid the discomfort of uncertainty. There’s another type of solution that you may be clinging to. One that will keep you just as stuck.

The “perfect” solution.

The brilliant, guaranteed winner of an idea that always seems to:

• Be the hardest, most complicated, most expensive solution to actually implement.
• Always needs just a few more weeks before it will be ready.
• Be replaced last minute by an “even better” idea.

Chasing this mythical version of perfection is even worse than your typical day-to-day procrastination or analysis paralysis, because it fools you into thinking you’re actually making progress toward a real solution.

But all you’re really doing is spinning your wheels.

This kind of procrastination isn’t the same as allowing yourself the time and space to connect new dots. It’s just another way to avoid the discomfort of “not knowing.” Of facing the possibility of failure, change, or looking stupid.

By constantly working toward a “better” version, you can avoid ever having to face your deepest fear—that even your best idea STILL won’t be good enough.

But problem solving isn’t a test of your worthiness or competence. It’s an iterative process. A balance between creative inspiration and real-world action.

You’re not responsible for inventing the perfect solution. You’re only responsible for discovering it. You do that by trusting your gut, testing your ideas out in the real world, and paying close attention to the results so that you can adapt your approach.

What will you do today to start loosening the grip of fear-driven perfectionism?

Will you ask yourself what you’re so afraid of, and be honest about the answer?