The 'Do It Poorly' Principle: Overcoming Perfectionism for Consistent Action

This podcast episode introduces a radical reframe of the common adage "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing well," proposing instead that "If something is worth doing, it's worth doing poorly." Dr. Taraban argues that perfectionistic tendencies often prevent individuals from taking positive or constructive action, leading to significant negative impacts on their lives and well-being. He highlights that the pursuit of an ideal outcome can become a barrier, causing inaction that is ultimately more detrimental than imperfect effort.

The core distinction made is between tasks where a high degree of competence is non-negotiable (e.g., brain surgery) and the vast majority of life's endeavors where small, imperfect attempts are far superior to none. The speaker emphasizes that people tend to discount small improvements because there's no immediate positive reinforcement, leading them to neglect constructive actions. Conversely, the lack of immediate negative punishment for inaction causes people to minimize their non-constructive evasions, resulting in a cumulative negative effect.

Practically, the episode recommends embracing sloppy, infrequent, or imperfect action. Using exercise as a concrete example, Dr. Taraban illustrates that even exercising once a week, though not ideal, is better than not exercising at all. These "poor attempts" accumulate over time, leading to significant progress or at least delaying decay, underscoring the power of consistency over intensity or perfection. The key insight is that a little of a good thing is almost always preferable to none of a better thing.

Broadly, this principle is presented as applicable across all levels of analysis, from individual health to the fate of humanity. It challenges the all-or-nothing thinking often associated with self-improvement and productivity, advocating for a more pragmatic approach that prioritizes engagement and incremental progress. The episode encourages listeners to overcome the psychological barriers of perfectionism and the discounting of small efforts to foster sustained positive change.

"if something's worth doing it's worth doing well"

"I now believe that if something is worth doing it's worth doing poorly"

"sometimes people are prevented from taking positive or constructive action because of their own perfectionistic tendencies"

"these inactions and hesitations over time can have a substantially deleterious impact on people's lives and well-being"

"even exercising once a week which isn't all that good is probably better than not exercising at all"

"these poor attempts can accumulate over time and create significant progress or at least delay significant decay"

"a lot of the difficulties that people encounter in their lives are directly attributable to their tendency to Discount small improvements"

"if something is worth doing do it sloppily do it infrequently do it imperfectly do it poorly but do it anyway"

"in many cases a little of a good thing is preferable To None of a better"

"this principle holds true at all levels of analysis from individual health all the way to the fate of humanity"