Editor’s Choice — Top 10: Finishing Is More Important Than Writing a Perfect Piece

Don’t miss our top 10 stories today

Sheryl Sandberg, the Chief Operating Officer of Facebook, lives by, “Done is better than perfect.” She started from scratch — after the sudden death of her husband — and worked hard to earn a net worth of $2 billion.

You should laugh at perfection and move on. It not only wastes your time, it discourages and distracts you. You no longer want to finish what you started.

The mantra ‘Done is better than perfect’ became a part of Facebook’s ‘hacker culture.’ Mark Zuckerberg’s said in a letter to investors: “Hackers try to build the best services over the long term by quickly releasing and learning from smaller iterations rather than trying to get everything right all at once. To support this, we have built a testing framework that at any given time can try out thousands of versions of Facebook. We have the words “Done is better than perfect” painted on our walls to remind ourselves to always keep shipping.”

Quit trying to be perfect. Anne Lamott, the author of Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life, says, “Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life, and it is the main obstacle between you and a shitty first draft. I think perfectionism is based on the obsessive belief that if you run carefully enough, hitting each stepping-stone just right, you won’t have to die. The truth is that you will die anyway and that a lot of people who aren’t even looking at their feet are going to do a whole lot better than you, and have a lot more fun while they’re doing it.”

Perfection kills fun. Elizabeth Gilbert, in her book Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear, says, “Forget perfection. We don’t have time for perfect. In any event, perfection is unachievable: It’s a myth and a trap and a hamster wheel that will run you to death. The writer Rebecca Solnit puts it well: “So many of us believe in perfection, which ruins everything else, because the perfect is not only the enemy of the good; it’s also the enemy of the realistic, the possible, and the fun… The most evil trick about perfectionism, though, is that it disguises itself as a virtue.”

“You have to finish things — that’s what you learn from, you learn by finishing things.” ~ Niel Gaiman

Perfection is not possible. Why do you think you have so many versions of the iPhone? Why do you have to update your Tesla Model 3 software? Everything is a work in progress. How can your work be any different?

Don’t confuse yourself by telling yourself that you are practicing to be perfect. You’ll be practicing for many lifetimes.

“They say that nobody is perfect. Then they tell you practice makes perfect. I wish they’d make up their minds.” ~ Winston Churchill

“A good plan violently executed right now is far better than a perfect plan executed next week,” George S. Patton, a general who commanded the 7th Army during World War II, famously said.

Here is the list of our top 10 stories today — written by people who know finishing is more important than perfection:

10. 5 Words to Transform Human Interaction in the New Year

Mandy Osterhaus Ream is a professor in her middle age. She is mom to one surfer and one kid with Down Syndrome. She is a fireman’s wife. She writes about all of it.

She is a superb writer. Her style is intuitive, witty, and charming. She is new to Medium and needs your love.

In light of recent events illustrating our deep divisions in many categories, I considered tabling this writing. But just as I am certain there are historical and present-day issues requiring sophisticated reflection, I am equally certain that there are threads of togetherness that can be still be woven into a tapestry to connect us in the midst of our differences.

There are five words I want you to consider adding to the interactions you have with people in the new year. They are powerful and have the potential to offer a transforming paradigm for connection.

9. They Will Be Going After Kamala Harris From Day 1

Vishnu*s Virtues tells you about simple ideas to get out of your own way and live a meaningful life. Ex-lawyer, ex Californian, and ex-husband.

His writing style is simple, direct, and informative. If you like this story, do check his other work.

A woman of color is the Vice-President of the United States.

Who would have imagined that it was possible? Yet here we are with our first African-American, Asian-American, female Vice President.

The racists have already given us a preview of what’s to come after President Biden and Vice President Harris take office. It’s not about President Biden and what he does in office but much of the focus and attacks will be about the woman of color who is second in command.

8. This Is Now the Most Important Time in the Film Industry: Fridays at 3 AM

Damon Ferrara is a traveling poet discussing culture, usually seriously. He is a screenwriter, marketer, and an author, “And One Day My Stars Will Burn.”

His writing style is full of suspense, palatable information, and insights. Do check his other work.

It’s 3 AM, do you know where your children are?

Possibly staying up to watch the latest Disney show, if they don’t want spoilers in the morning.

They’ll be doing that for a long time to come.

Disney+ has a habit of adding content Fridays at 3 AM EST/12 AM PST. Movies like Hamilton went on then. So did each episode of The Mandalorian. That’s now the premiere time for each episode of WandaVision, and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier will take its turn Friday, March 19.

7. Why I Want a Separate Bedroom From My Boyfriend

Wendy Scott is a Brit living in Auckland. She is a learning and development professional who writes about leadership and personal development.

Her writing style is frank, honest, and highly engaging. She is in a writing mood these days. You can read two of her masterpieces today. Don’t forget to check her other work.

“I lay awake staring into the dark. Beside me my partner snuffles and makes puffing noises. Then he clears his throat. I grit my teeth, wanting to kick him to make him shut up. Or maybe a jab in the ribs would do it. Then he makes a sort of choking noise. I remind myself he has a cold, it’s not his fault. When he makes his strangled velociraptor noise I give up and head to the sofa.” — Wendy Scott, sleep deprived author.

One year ago, my partner and I were planning to move house. We had our eyes on a selection of homes in our chosen area.

6. 7 Simple Ways Apartment Dwellers Can Cut Down On Energy Use

John Teehan is a writer specializing in tech, business, parenting, pop culture, and gaming. He is an excellent writer. His style is simple, direct, and to the point.

When talking about energy efficiency and green living, homeowners get a lot of attention and advice. But what about those who choose to live in apartments and condominiums? It’s not like they wouldn’t like to save some money on their costly energy bill each month.

Here are seven easy ways you can get significant savings on your utility bills, plus a few bonus tips on making for a greener world.

5. ‘Foyle’s War’ Predicted the US Capitol Attack Six Years Before It Happened

Andrew Jazprose Hill writes stories from the heart, tempered by the mind. He is an award-winning writer, with a background in talk radio, newspapers, and TV news. He is writing his first novel.

His writing style is informative and engaging. Do check his other work if you like this piece.

It was almost six years ago to the day that a fictional series on British television warned of the January 6th mob attack on the U.S. Capitol.

When the episode was broadcast in the United States on January 11, 2015, few regarded the man who would become 45th president of the United States as anything other than tabloid fodder. He was a real-estate playboy, bankrupt casino owner, a blowhard who spent $85,000 on newspaper ads calling for the death of five innocent Black and Latino teenagers accused of raping a white jogger, and more recently, the host of a reality TV show. Hardly the stuff of a successful run for the White House. And yet.

4. 3 Signs that Your Relationship has Reached Breaking Point

Jessie London is an MA in English and BA Literature. She is a tech entrepreneur for 15 years. She is a full-time writer. Her main interests are wellbeing, books, feminism, crime, business, and relationships.

Her writing style is direct, honest, and to the point. If you like her article, don’t forget to check her other work.

Arguing is a way of clearing the air — a way to thrash out a specific issue and reach a resolution.

Being able to argue constructively and respectfully is actually essential to building a long and happy relationship. No two people can agree on everything all of the time.

If you’ve given up arguing, it’s probably a result of not being able to conclude on an issue after multiple attempts.

3. How to Save Money on Takeout Food

Piper Steele is a Journalist, author, and editor who specializes in money, relationships, food, and health. She is an exceptional writer.

You can learn a great deal from her work. Read her. Follow her. Wait for her next story.

You’re stuck at home and too tired to cook, so you order takeout. If that scenario sounds familiar, you’re not alone. According to the National Restaurant Association, the percentage of adults who order takeout from restaurants is up about 8% since the pandemic began, and it’s expected to rise another 10% over the next several months.

But ordering in is far more expensive than cooking. So how do you ensure you don’t blow your budget when you get takeout?

2. How A Grammarian Would Talk To Beautiful People

[arlie] PEYTON helps brands to grow — through his writing and SEO skills. Tony Hsieh has left behind remarkable leadership advice. If you haven’t read this story already, do it now.

Normally, a master’s degree in literature has practically zero value in this planet.

Seriously, direct applications include teaching and . . . .

A lit major is not a marketer, copywriter, author, or journalist. Far from it.

I mean, who can’t write stuff or read books? Literacy is at an all-time high: it’s 99% in the USA. So most people can do everything I can I do, except maybe use a semicolon four different ways. (BTW, I’m with Kurt Vonnegut. Semicolons are so over-rated, and I haven’t used one in five years.)

1. Shadows on the Wall

Mac Daniels is an artist/scientist with a penchant for words. It took him a long time to begin to see through his eyes — and longer still to imagine a reason to try.

He is an outstanding writer. His style is frank, informative, and absolutely engaging. Don’t forget to follow him. Read him. Bookmark his stories and wait for his next story.

A well-informed electorate is a prerequisite to democracy. — Thomas Jefferson.

Thomas Jefferson was an idealist. “That people should govern themselves . . . ” — it had never been done before. But he was also practical. He believed the representative democracy experiment would work, but only with a “well-informed electorate.”

A well-informed electorate? In Jefferson’s day most Americans couldn’t read or write, newspapers held little value for them. Only fairly literate landowners possessed the right to vote.

This post is part of the Top 10 Series:

1–2–3–4–5–6–7–8–9–10–11–12–13–14–15–16–17–18–19–20–21–22–23–24–25–26–27–28–29–30–31–32–33–34–35–36–37–38–39–40–41–42–43–44–45–46–47–48–49–50–51–52 –53–54–55–56–57–58–59

Final Thoughts

If your story was selected in the Top 10, please share another one of your stories in the comments with a brief introduction and a short review that can convince a reader to read your piece. (Please write the review in the third person and start it with your name.)

I must have missed something today. I cannot read every story on Illumination and Illumination-Curated. Dr Mehmet Yildiz, the Chief Editor and Founder of Illumination and Illumination-Curated, read, highlighted, and applauded every good story when he started his publications. He still reads almost all of the good ones. I try — and fail daily — to read all of the masterpieces.

Dr Mehmet Yildiz has kindly allotted the top 10 series a full shelf on the front page of Illumination-Curated and Illumination:

If you find any mistake, typo, or other error, please leave a private note for correction. Thanks.

Happy New Year!

To be included as a top 10 writer, read these curation guidelines carefully.

You can read my curated stories here.