What’s the Best Piece of Advice You’ve Ever Received?

[GreatWhiteNorth]

(Notice that jross has bowed out and is not arguing with me a single bit. Why do you think that is?)

Cael achieved a "perfect" D1 collegiate record. 

Does anyone here really think that a "done" record is better than a "perfect" one?

I'm saying, "Done is not better than perfect". And all of you are somehow arguing that I'm wrong!?

Let's hear your arguments. Line up, let's go.

[scourge165]

On 5/29/2025 at 7:49 PM, JimmySpeaks said:

I’m not that smart.

 

Of all the words that have ever been written, posted or uttered...never was it less necessary than for you to share this...little "secret" with us!

Even the people who may agree with you in political matters know this Scout..Jimmy(whichever you'd like). 

We are all accutely aware!

[JimmySpeaks]

5 hours ago, scourge165 said:

 

Of all the words that have ever been written, posted or uttered...never was it less necessary than for you to share this...little "secret" with us!

Even the people who may agree with you in political matters know this Scout..Jimmy(whichever you'd like). 

We are all accutely aware!

Speaking of something from weeks ago.  

[jross]

8 hours ago, GreatWhiteNorth said:

(Notice that jross has bowed out and is not arguing with me a single bit. Why do you think that is?)

Cael achieved a "perfect" D1 collegiate record. 

Does anyone here really think that a "done" record is better than a "perfect" one?

I'm saying, "Done is not better than perfect". And all of you are somehow arguing that I'm wrong!?

Let's hear your arguments. Line up, let's go.

Rather than bow out, I shared relevant advice:  Say it once, say it well, then let it stand.

• JRoss said "Done is better than perfect."
• GWN said "Perfect is always better than done. Always. Every single time."

Both are right, depending on the context, and neither is universally true. These are facts of life.  "Done" suits iterative, low-risk, or time-sensitive scenarios. "Perfect" fits high-stakes, precision-driven, or reputation-critical tasks.  

As this debate drags on unnecessarily, more advice applies:

• Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.
• Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.

[ionel]

2 hours ago, jross said:

As this debate drags on unnecessarily, more advice applies:

• Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.
• Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.

Related:  don't argue with a snow plow.  

[GreatWhiteNorth]

13 hours ago, jross said:

Rather than bow out, I shared relevant advice:  Say it once, say it well, then let it stand.

• JRoss said "Done is better than perfect."
• GWN said "Perfect is always better than done. Always. Every single time."

Both are right, depending on the context, and neither is universally true. These are facts of life.  "Done" suits iterative, low-risk, or time-sensitive scenarios. "Perfect" fits high-stakes, precision-driven, or reputation-critical tasks.  

As this debate drags on unnecessarily, more advice applies:

• Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.
• Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him.

Nope. Wrong again. Why are you such a tool about this? I'd like to say it once, but boneheads like you just don't get it.

The phrase "Done is better than perfect" doesn't include any mention of "time-sensitive scenarios" - which is exactly why it's such a terrible quote. If modified by time constraints, which it isn't, it would make sense. (But it would have to be a different quote.)

And "Perfect is always better than done. Always. Every single time" is per the definition of "perfect" - something that simply can't get any better. It is perfection. Which makes it universally true.

Edited Wednesday at 03:42 AM by GreatWhiteNorth

[jross]

A practical truth spoken over centuries...

• Le mieux est l'ennemi du bien -  Voltaire 1770
• Le mieux est le mortel ennemi du bien - Montesquieu 1726
• Striving to better, oft we mar what's well - Shakesphere 1606
• To go too far is as bad as to fall short - Confucius 5th Century BCE

The phrase “done is better than perfect” is clear and self-evident, promoting action and completion over the paralyzing pursuit of flawlessness, a principle of moderation that needs no further context to be understood.

Absolutist dismissal of ‘done is better than perfect’ under any circumstance borders on trollish behavior.

[Gene Mills Fan]

GWN if you can do perfect come weed my garden!!

[ionel]

9 minutes ago, Gene Mills Fan said:

GWN if you can do perfect come weed my garden!!

No do mine ... I'll pay double what GMF is offering.  

[Gene Mills Fan]

I'm only paying when its perfect?

[ionel]

4 minutes ago, Gene Mills Fan said:

I'm only paying when its perfect?

Same here payment after the job and 10 year guarantee.  I mean if it's perfect then a 50 yr guarantee should be no problem.  It's not done till it's perfect.  

[headshuck]

Are you guys waiting up until 3am for the fireworks?

[Hammerlock3]

Work is the exchange of the present for the future.

[GreatWhiteNorth]

On 6/18/2025 at 9:00 AM, jross said:

A practical truth spoken over centuries...

• Le mieux est l'ennemi du bien -  Voltaire 1770
• Le mieux est le mortel ennemi du bien - Montesquieu 1726
• Striving to better, oft we mar what's well - Shakesphere 1606
• To go too far is as bad as to fall short - Confucius 5th Century BCE

The phrase “done is better than perfect” is clear and self-evident, promoting action and completion over the paralyzing pursuit of flawlessness, a principle of moderation that needs no further context to be understood.

Absolutist dismissal of ‘done is better than perfect’ under any circumstance borders on trollish behavior.

Why do you continue to post like such a dumb a**?

You think posters here don't speak some french or can't translate via Google and see you are a FRAUD?

• Le mieux est l'ennemi du bien = The best is the enemy of the good
• Le mieux est le mortel ennemi du bien = The best is the mortal enemy of the good
• Striving to better, oft we mar what's well = Trying to do better, we sometimes break what is good
• To go too far is as bad as to fall short = Find the balance between too far and not far enough

The (4) bulleted items you listed are, in no way equivalent to your far-too-basic BS phrase "done is better than perfect." Every one of the items in the bulleted list are either something different, or something more. You're reaching and failing badly.

"Done is better than perfect" is wrong every single time. (Whatever happened to you stating it once and letting it stand? You changed your rule because your statement is dumb? Sounds right.)

The phrase I've used is basically the same as the first two on the bulleted list - "Perfect is the enemy of done." (Not my words, I heard them on one of my favorite podcasts.)

• If you're trying to get your trash can to the sidewalk on trash day - Done will suffice. Perfection isn't needed. Maybe best to get the cart out and not worry about a straight line or how fast you do it or if a bit spills out. You can fix that in the morning.
• How about a kid using crayons in a coloring book? Done is just fine. Perfect isn't needed. It'll go on the fridge and look just fine.
• Let's talk about mowing the lawn. Never cut more than 1/2 the height of the current grass. Always overlap every pass to not leave any grass uncut. Mulch when is appropriate, bag when is appropriate. Change mower engine oil and air filter and sharpen blade every season. Scrape underside of mower between each and every use. Mow only in the evening to allow the grass to recover before summer heat... (and there's far, far more.)
  ...Or maybe just do the best you can as time allows and call it good. Doesn't need to be Perfect.

In all these examples above, why would you insist on perfection when 'good enough' is just fine. Finish it and call it done.

Indeed, Perfect is the enemy of done. Sometimes it is advisable to settle for less than perfect.

But is it true that "Done is better than perfect?" No - not at all. Never. You are 100% wrong.

It is a universal truth that Perfect is the best we can do. Done is never better than perfect.

That obviously doesn't mean there isn't room for both.

[jross]

GWN, thank you for providing examples that show while perfect is ideal, done is often better in practice.