Quality Magazine logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Quality Magazine logo
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
    • FEATURED PRODUCTS
    • SUBMIT YOUR PRODUCT
  • CHANNELS
    • AUTOMATION
    • MANAGEMENT
    • MEASUREMENT
    • NDT
    • QUALITY 101
    • SOFTWARE
    • TEST & INSPECTION
    • VISION & SENSORS
  • MARKETS
    • AEROSPACE
    • AUTOMOTIVE
    • ENERGY
    • GREEN MANUFACTURING
    • MEDICAL
  • MEDIA
    • A WORD ON QUALITY PUZZLE
    • EBOOK
    • PODCASTS
    • VIDEOS
    • WEBINARS
  • EVENTS
    • EVENT CALENDAR
    • IMTS
  • DIRECTORIES
    • BUYERS GUIDE >
      • Supplier Insights
    • NDT SOURCEBOOK
    • VISION & SENSORS
    • TAKE A TOUR
  • INFOCENTERS
    • Digital Quality Management Systems
    • NEXT GENERATION SPC & QUALITY ANALYTICS
  • AWARDS
    • ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
    • PLANT OF THE YEAR
    • PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
  • MORE
    • Expert Columns
    • NEWSLETTERS
    • QUALITY STORE
    • INDUSTRY LINKS
    • SPONSOR INSIGHTS
  • EMAG
    • eMAGAZINE
    • ARCHIVES
    • CONTACT
    • ADVERTISE
  • SIGN UP!

Don't Wait for Perfection

By Jim L. Smith
August 29, 2011


Too many times we procrastinate getting started on a project or even making a decision. What causes us to do so is the thought of failure. We need to change that pattern of thought.

You may not get it perfect on the first attempt. Don’t let that bother you because everyone has that experience. Go ahead, get started and do it anyway. Expect that it may not be exactly right the first time but know that you'll soon figure it out.

As humans we can come up with all kinds of reasons why something will not work or will go wrong. Get over that feeling. Get started. Work on it anyway, and commit yourself to handling each challenge as it arises.

Certainly, something unexpected may happen that will cause many of your assumptions or actions to be incorrect. Move forward anyway, because you are definitely capable of adjusting to changing conditions.

Maybe you won't get exactly the results you might have expected. However, that might be the most rewarding thing that can happen. Learning from challenges or achieving less than expected makes us stronger and wiser. With this newfound strength and knowledge, you'll discover ways to achieve even better results than you first expected, now and in your future endeavors.

There is absolutely no good reason to deny yourself the opportunity to achieve whatever you choose to accomplish. Life is about making a difference, and you will never run out of opportunities to do that.

Whatever has happened, whatever is going to happen, what people say, step out and take a step in a forward direction. Life is not perfect so don’t wait for perfection, it’ll never come. There is no perfect time to make a difference in your life and the lives of those who surround you. Move forward. Life is what you choose to make it.

Share This Story

Qm0222 clmn face p2 author jim smith

Jim L. Smith has more than 45 years of industry experience in operations, engineering, research and development and quality management. You can reach Jim at [email protected]

Blog Topics

Shifting the Paradigm

Jim's Gems

Steve Adams: Operational Strategies

Recent Comments

Therefore great deal to take place over kinds...

Gee… I translate writes on a similar to...

As it turned out, it is quite possible...

For some it is significant, and so research...

nike tiffany and co jacket

Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Newsletters
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • Manage My Preferences

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Quality audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Quality or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • This image shows a person seated next to a Bobcat T66 compact track loader.
    Sponsored byPolyWorks by InnovMetric

    Supercharging Digital Gauging at Bobcat North America

  • Dorsey Calibration Lab photo by Tom LaBarbera Picture this Studios
    Sponsored byDorsey Metrology International

    Ensuring Product Quality in a Competitive Manufacturing Landscape

  • This image displays a Eddyfi Technologies Cypher portable inspection instrument alongside a scanner for non-destructive testing (NDT).
    Sponsored byEddyfi Technologies

    A Safer, Smarter Approach to Weld Inspection: Why Advanced Ultrasonic Testing Is Redefining Industry Standards

Popular Stories

a titanium diaphragm speaker driver

The One Thing Elon Gets Right Is Designed to Scare You

This image shows a person seated next to a Bobcat T66 compact track loader.

Supercharging Digital Gauging at Bobcat North America

Dorsey Calibration Lab photo by Tom LaBarbera Picture this Studios

Ensuring Product Quality in a Competitive Manufacturing Landscape

2026 Quality Professional of the Year!

Events

June 9, 2026

Future-Proof your Quality Processes with Advanced 3D Optical CMM Technology

Discover how to effortlessly capture complex data, leverage true multi-sensor automation, and ensure continuous operation without creating inspection delays.

June 22, 2026

Automate 2026

Automate is North America's largest robotics and automation event — and the best place to take your ideas from insight to impact.
 
Our show floor features the world’s leading automation solutions, from AI and robotics to motion control, vision systems, and more. Plus, our educational conference is second to none, led by the brightest minds in automation today.
 
Ready to transform the way you work? Take the next step at Automate.
View All Submit An Event

Products

Lean Manufacturing and Service Fundamentals, Applications, and Case Studies

Lean Manufacturing and Service Fundamentals, Applications, and Case Studies

See More Products
Quality Podcast Channel Custom Content
×

Stay in the know with Quality’s comprehensive coverage of
the manufacturing and metrology industries.

Newsletters | Website | eMagazine

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Manufacturing Division
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • Newsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • Reprints
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing