Perfectionism is painful.
I can spend weeks perfecting this article. And still, fail to achieve it.
In the meantime, I’d procrastinate. Because I’d feel that this is not the best form yet. It can be better.
That feeling would keep me away from finishing the work and shipping it.
You’ve probably had similar experiences. The good news is that there is an antidote to perfectionism that will allow you to deliver on your ideas without losing much time: Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
MVP is defining the requirements — what is the minimum, what is viable, and what is the product — before starting working on it.
It’s a term from Product Management and common practice in software development. But, it is applicable in different aspects of your life.
Ideas are always perfect in your mind.
But as you get to the execution, you face issues: resources, time, technical challenges…
Since these challenges will always exist, define your MVP and ship it to get unstuck. It will help you to get the most out of your resources (whether time, money, or effort). Rather than losing time with an imaginary perfect result.
Because when you meet your MVP and deliver, you start getting feedback. You get to know what works and what fails. So you can iterate and build on the MVP by doing more of what is working and removing the parts that don’t work.
By delivering an imperfect product and collecting feedback —ironically— you get closer to the perfect.
Two MVP examples
- Groupon started as a WordPress blog that sent coupons via email in pdf format.
- Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia started Airbnb by creating a simple website and posting their own apartment to see if people would stay in strangers’ homes.
They started with the MVP, then became the impressive companies we know today.
So when you have an idea —whether a business or a product— don’t wait until you have the best tools, the right time, or the perfect product.
Define your MVP, create it with what you have, and ship it.
–
Enjoyed this article?
Then you’ll love the How Brands Win Newsletter.
Get the “5 Mental Models to Differentiate Your Business” guide when you join. It’s free.