There Is No Perfect Solution
- Decision Making
- Tradeoffs
- Productivity
- Mindset
- Good Enough
- Mental Models
- Problem Solving
- Prioritization
- Perfectionism
- PKM
- Note Taking
Table of Contents
There is no perfect solution - pick what works tired and ship instead of waiting for the ideal.
Key Concept
- Waiting for the ideal option is itself a choice - usually the choice to stay stuck with the status quo.
- Every real choice has tradeoffs - stop comparing real options to an imaginary perfect one.
Level 1 - Recognize
There is no perfect solution means real options are imperfect - the ideal option you are waiting for does not exist.
Level 2 - Explain
Waiting for the ideal option is itself a decision - most often it keeps the status quo in place while you compare real choices against fantasy.
Level 3 - Use
Compare real choices against each other, not against a perfect option - pick what works tired and ship instead of waiting a week comparing strollers.
Level 4 - Connect
Perfect solutions are imaginary comparators - Reversibility asks which mistake you can undo when every real choice has tradeoffs.
Level 5 - Create
Extend the same move as Accept the Starting Line when waiting to feel ready blocks the good-enough move.
Examples
- I spent a week comparing strollers instead of walking with the baby we already had - picked the lighter one, went out tired that afternoon.
- I stopped comparing note apps and shipped with the one that works on my phone tired - no perfect tool, only what I actually use.
Note Relationships
| Relationship | Wikilink | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| alternative | Accept the Starting Line | when waiting to feel ready blocks the good-enough move from where you are |
| contradicts | Pareto Principle | when good-enough tired beats hunting the perfect 20% |
| contradicts | Renewed Mind | when I delay feeding my mind until thoughts feel holy |
| extends | Mental Models | The nirvana fallacy is a mental model for when waiting for perfect blocks the good-enough move |
