“Ship it. The cost of being wrong is less than the cost of doing nothing.” Seth Godin
Seth Godin would be proud.
Me? I’m on the fence about it.
Yesterday I shipped a lengthy blog post, one with errors and sentences that made no sense, so I could honor the commitment I made to post every Monday.
I have lots of excuses for the post being a mess, like the fact that I drive two hours one way on the first Monday (yesterday) of every month to a critique group in the next state over. I know, maybe I should have taken yesterday’s article with me and had fellow writers edit it.
Nonetheless, I shipped – a phrase Seth uses often that means to take action. It was a tough decision, choosing between productivity and perfection. Not that my posts are always flawless, but I was pretty sure yesterday’s wasn’t. I sent it anyway.
It felt good to let it go until I reread it around midnight. By then, it was too late to undo. It had already been delivered to inboxes. I have since rewritten parts of it, which is why I’m posting another post so soon. To let you know, although it’s not shortened, it is fixed.
The other reason is to ask your opinion. Which is more important, shipping or shooting for perfection?
WRite wHere I’m supposed to be – I couldn’t not give an explanation for yesterday’s post. That’s how I float, I mean, roll. I’m anxious to hear your priority.
I think shipping is more important since that is how the communication gets to the reader. Unfortunately, I\’m personally too obsessed with shooting for perfection! Having to be perfect in writing certainly cramps creativity and freedom! (Having to be perfect in LIFE certainly cramps creativity and freedom too!)
Good point, Peggy, and it makes me feel better to hear you say ship is top priority. I was so rushed yesterday trying to leave for Wilmington, plus I cleaned three apartments over the weekend so I didn\’t have the time or energy to write a post then, but I was still determined to meet my writing goal. I\’m trying to balance productivity with my perfectionism.
I\’m like you, I\’ve been obsessed, which is why sometimes I\’ll go weeks without posting. I can take that long to write and rewrite one post!
Thanks for your comment.
Happy medium. As long as it\’s good and readable, it doesn\’t need to be perfect.
I like that, Megan. You\’re right, finding a good balance is best. Thanks for your comment.
I say ship too…sometimes what we are trying to say…actually comes through better…if we are not so obsessed with perfection…
I can relate, Marilyn. Sometimes perfectionism takes the passion out of the message/writing. I appreciate your comments, always.