In business and in life, we tend to irrationally build things up in our heads and overcomplicate what’s in front of us. We tend to overthink what it takes to complete our next project. In reality, there’s only one requirement: to simply start. Few understand this principle better than Dan Sullivan at Strategic Coach. Dan’s simple 80% Approach is the simplest, clearest recipe we’ve seen for overcoming the two mental habits that stall far too many important projects and entrepreneurs, sometimes “for an entire lifetime.” These two insidious and all too common habits are perfectionism and procrastination.
I’ve compiled key take-aways below from Dan’s book The 80% Approach.
For most projects, 80% is all it takes to successfully launch.
Although the perfectionist says, “no way, it must be exactly correct before releasing,” this habit is entirely an internal struggle. This notion has no basis in the value of the project as perceived by most clients and the outside world. In most instances, the audience will accept 80% as 100%. So, if all that’s needed is 80%, this “gives us permission to nip perfectionism in the bud.” Otherwise, the result is usually unnecessary delays. Engaging clients early in the development process, before we consider it perfect, allows for checkpoints along the way, preventing misalignment on the project’s direction and the potential for rework down the road.
Don’t wait to complete your first 80%.
This is all about baby steps. Instead of looking at the whole and feeling overwhelmed, ask yourself this: What is the next incremental task I can do today to move this project forward. One word or one sentence on paper is sometimes all it takes. One phone call is better than no phone call. Chances are, you’ll get into a flow state and before you know it, you’ve written an entire page, chapter, or article.
Complete the second 80%.
This represents a further improvement to the original 80% effort and is best handled by other talented people. When you compound two 80% efforts, the result is 96% completion. As Dan says, “In a world filled with many sub-standard, shoddy, and unsatisfactory results, a 96%-quality project would look and actually be extraordinary.”
Do only the 80% that only you can do.
Owners, entrepreneurs, founders, and project leaders should be firmly entrenched in their unique abilities, producing their 80% portion of the project from their unique abilities only, “where their personal efforts will produce the best and fastest results.”
Community vs. Isolation – 80% vs. 100%.
When each member of a team is striving for 80% rather than 100%, they’re inspired to rely on each other. This leads to a cohesive environment that fosters genuine teamwork, reliance on each other, and community building. If everyone is focused on achieving 100% individually, they become isolated and full of doubt.
Ultimately, when we give ourselves permission to strive for 80% using our highest and best talents only, we start faster, we gain confidence, and we learn to trust in others to exercise their unique talents to move the project forward. As Dan coins it, “By riding the 80% wave of accelerating confidence, you make rapid progress, find it easy, and want to move even faster.”
You can pick up a complimentary copy of Dan’s book The 80% Approach.
Stephen (Steve”) Colwell serves as CEO and head of strategy for Clarify Media and Completing, two Southern California–based firms specializing in marketing and project management. With over 10 years of hands-on agency experience as a copywriter, brand strategist, and project manager, he brings a broad and deep range of both marketing and operations expertise to the community. From strategy and design to growth and performance, Steve offers a rare mix of creative and analytical thinking toward helping creative professionals, teams, and small businesses accelerate their progress and achieve more. He has led project teams responsible for over $100+ million in annual revenue across four continents. A certified Agile practitioner, Steve is fanatical about helping others work in teams more effectively and operate at their best using the same proven routines practiced by today’s top-performing companies.
Leave a Reply