“Do it first, then do it right, then do it better.”
just started. The journey to success often starts with one step, but that first step can be the hardest to take. It's easy to get caught up in the fear of failure or the desire for perfection, but I hope this quote I first shared in 2013 will remind us of the importance of simply starting as we enter 2024.
start somewhere
“Start slowly if you have to. Start small if you have to. Start privately if you have to. Just get started.
Taking the first step doesn’t require perfection or instant mastery. The key is to overcome inertia and take action because that action will lead to progress, learning and (if you're lucky and consistent) ultimate success.
When you start, you give yourself the opportunity to grow, adapt, and move forward.
The power of initiation
Starting a new project or habit can often be daunting. According to psychologists, we tend to overestimate the pain of getting started and underestimate our ability to persevere.
However, research shows that “small starts” are better predictors of eventual success than initial enthusiasm or early progress. This phenomenon is called the “fresh start effect”—taking the first step energizes us and increases our motivation.
So focus on getting started and don’t put pressure on perfection. Progress and course corrections will follow.
First, do this: Embrace an MVP mentality
Doing this = getting the easiest MVP.
A minimum viable product (MVP) represents the simplest version of a product or idea that allows you to test, collect feedback, and iterate.
By embracing this mindset (just get something done—it’s okay if it’s rough, a prototype, a draft), you focus on progress rather than perfection, understanding that there’s more value in getting something out into the world than waiting for that perfect moment.
Expand your comfort zone
Taking risks outside your comfort zone creates a fear of failure. Facing discomfort not only builds confidence and skills, but research shows it makes us more receptive to learning. Recognize that fear is often the mind's way of urging us to grow. Don't let it stop you from progressing.
Then, get it right: refine and correct
Getting it right = fixing correctness issues.
Once you've taken the first step and put your MVP into the world, it's time to refine and correct it. This stage is about learning from feedback, identifying areas for improvement, and making adjustments accordingly.
This is an opportunity to iterate on your idea, making sure it meets the needs of your audience or client while staying consistent with your vision.
Cultivate curiosity and resilience
Taking on new challenges with curiosity and resilience makes venturing outside our comfort zones more sustainable and enjoyable. Develop a curiosity about growth opportunities and your ability to seize them. Set mini challenges to gradually expand your horizons.
When faced with inevitable setbacks, avoid self-criticism and tap into resilience—the ability to recover, learn, and continue to improve.
Self-compassion, resilience, and keeping perspective are key here. Through consistent effort, you build confidence in your ability to start, stumble, learn, and work toward mastery.
Finally, do better: strive for continuous improvement
“Doing better = iterating toward a desired end state (e.g., making it faster).”
The journey doesn’t stop with getting it right.
The final step is continuous improvement, pursuit of excellence and growth.
By iterating toward a desired end state, you demonstrate a commitment to progress, ensuring your product, idea, or project remains relevant, innovative, and successful.
Set new goalposts
As you progress, be clear about when you've "done" or updated your goals. Elite athletes turn small gains into competitive advantages through the aggregation of marginal gains. Identify areas of potential improvement and set measurable stretch goals, from improved efficiency to enhanced user satisfaction.
Overcome the biggest barriers to progress
“The biggest obstacle to progress is not a lack of resources or talent, but the fear of failure.”
Recognizing that fear of failure is the most significant obstacle to success allows you to face it head-on.
By acknowledging this fear, you can focus on taking the first step, knowing that once the ball starts rolling, keeping it moving will become much easier.
Remember, getting started is more than half the battle. Don't wait until you're ready because the perfect moment may never come.
bottom line
Rather than striving for perfect execution, embrace the power of starting—proposing an MVP, a soft launch plan, or setting milestones. Progress brings motivation. By starting simple, you open the door to growth and innovation. The rest will follow.
Embrace the power of starting and then iterating until you're satisfied.