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About this quote

What does it mean?
Churchill argues that demanding perfection leads to inaction rather than success.
In plain terms
Trying to be perfect stops you from doing anything at all.
What can you take from it?
Perfectionism causes paralysis.

Where it applies

  • work projects
  • creative endeavors
  • decision making

Putting it to work

  • accepting imperfection
  • starting before ready

Questions to consider

  • Does striving for perfect stop you?
  • What tasks have you avoided due to perfectionism?

Another view

Sometimes high standards are necessary for critical tasks.

More from Winston Churchill

  1. The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of misery.

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  2. The object of Parliament is to substitute argument for fisticuffs. (attributed to a House of Commons speech of 1951)

    Permalink to quote #171
  3. The Hun is either at your throat or at your feet.

    Permalink to quote #168

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