Summary

The article emphasizes that any important activity is valuable, even if done imperfectly.

Abstract

The central theme of the article revolves around the idea that it's better to engage in meaningful activities to a lesser extent than not to do them at all. The author shares a personal journey of evolving from a perfectionist mindset, where only the best effort was considered worthwhile, to embracing the concept that doing something important, even poorly, is preferable to not doing it. This wisdom was initially difficult to understand but became clearer through life experiences. The article encourages readers to adopt this philosophy, suggesting that small efforts, like a short workout or a brief moment of quality time with loved ones, are more beneficial than inaction, and that this approach can lead to a more fulfilling life.

Opinions

The author believes that the advice "Everything worth doing is worth doing poorly" is the best they have received, highlighting its value in personal growth.
Initially, the author held a strict personal standard, aiming for excellence in all pursuits, which led to giving up activities that couldn't meet these high expectations.
Through experience, the author learned that maintaining peak performance consistently is impossible, and this realization prompted a shift in perspective.
The article suggests that common excuses for not engaging in an activity are often a result of an all-or-nothing mindset, which should be overcome.
The author argues that doing important activities poorly is superior to not doing them, as it contributes to personal well-being and progress.
Practical examples are provided to illustrate how even minimal engagement in important tasks, such as a short nap, a quick teeth brushing, or a brief workout, is better than complete avoidance.
The author encourages readers to make this philosophy a personal mantra, advocating for taking action towards one's goals, regardless of the circumstances.

Everything Worth Doing is Worth Doing Poorly

Everything worth doing is worth doing poorly.

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Someone once told me those words. It is the best advice I got in my life so far, and I didn’t understand it at the beginning.

When I was granted that piece of wisdom, I was a very different man and I couldn’t get it. I’ve always been strict and very demanding with myself, asking for nothing less than the best of me in anything. Hell if I could or wanted to do anything poorly.

Experience taught me that is not possible to do it consistently. No one can perform at 100% all the time. But my attitude was hard to change so instead of accepting this limit, I started giving up a lot of things.

What’s the purpose of working out if I can’t do it for the canonical one-hour straight?

Today I’m going to skip practice, I just have 20 minutes. I will practice when I’ll have a full hour.

I said I was going to read 30 pages a day. The best I can do today is 10…

I can go on forever, listing all these cheap excuses. I had to grow up — like really grow up, before learning this damn lesson.

Everything worth doing is worth doing poorly.

At first, I thought that NOTHING was worth doing poorly. My motto was “Either Caesar or nothing”. So I want to share this wisdom with you, hoping it could save you some time.

“Everything worth doing is worth doing poorly” means that if there is anything really important to you, you should have the maturity to do it under any condition, even poor ones.

Let me put it in clearer words.

Is sleeping important? Is it better to take a 20 minutes nap or not sleep at all?

Brushing your teeth for at least 3 minutes is so good for you, but you are tired as hell after a night shift at work. A quick brush will be always better than nothing.

No time nor energy to work out according to your schedule: a quick, shorter session beats skipping it at all.

Playing with your daughter for 20 min just outside your home is better than 20 min of watching TV because you don’t have time or energy to take her to the park.

As a parent, a quickie with my wife is better than a month of abstinence waiting for the “right moment”

Everything worth doing is worth doing poorly because doing it poorly is better than not doing it at all.

Make it your mantra too. Get up. Reach what you wanted to reach or, at least, make the first step towards it.