Perfection is my enemy · Clief Notes

Perfection is my enemy

One thing I’m learning in AI is that you can create something genuinely useful even if it isn't polished or fully vetted. Honestly, I'm creating things I don't even fully understand. ha ha

We see other folks showing off their latest success and eyes-wide-open stare at the screen thinking "Sheesh. They are so impossibly smart." Maybe I'm the only one doing that.

But there are a few things to understand. First, not everything we think is “perfect” is actually perfect. Sometimes it is just the best version we can see from where we are standing. Second, we don't all have the same background, so what I think is a "Win" is a win for me. It might not be a win for you.

What I struggle with sometimes is wanting my work to be as perfect as I can make it BEFORE I share it with anyone. That's why I didn't enter any competitions until Comp 7. I really didn't want to be embarrassed. But, I entered anyway thinking I'll just do my best and learn from the process of building.

I'm SO GLAD I DID.

A few things I learned:

-Your first version can be messy.

-Your folder structure can change.

-Your workflow can have gaps.

-Your system can grow.

That does not mean it failed. It means it is becoming something.

I think sometimes we wait to build until we can make the “perfect” version, but the perfect version usually comes after the rough one teaches us what we actually need.

AI gives us so many new ways to create, test, and improve. I don’t want to miss that because I’m overthinking every piece before I begin.

So here’s my little reminder, mostly to myself, but perhaps also to you: Make the thing.

Let it be imperfect.

Pay attention to what it teaches you.

Then make it better.

I appreciate each one of you and the way you encourage me and one another.

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Perfection is my enemy