“Perfect is the enemy of good” is a phrase that means striving for perfection can prevent you from doing good work. It’s often used to encourage people to focus on progress instead.

Chasing perfection can create unrealistic expectations and standards. It can also prevent you from noticing when progress might make a bigger difference. In business, leaders use the concept to encourage innovation and productivity. In schools, teachers use it to remind students that learning is a process.

Here are a few tips on getting started and reaching a definite conclusion with your projects:

• Reframe your expectations around what good achievement means.
• Prioritize progress over perfection.
• Set better goals.
• Stay motivated.
• Celebrate your successes.
• Get good at what you have and stop thinking there’s something better out there.