Thank you for your content Reagan! Your book redeeming productivity has been such a blessing in my life and I look forward to reading it again and again.
Question for you, Reagan: I've heart it said that we shouldn't "be precious" with our work. That is, we shouldn't worry too much about making it perfect, because it's better to do a good enough job and get it out into the world than to fret about making it the highest possible quality we can. Darren Doane is an advocate of this view, if you know who he is. On the other hand, I hear Newport (and you?) advocating for a slower approach and a kind of meticulousness to work that emphasizes quality and durability, rather than churning out subpar work that won't stand the test of time. How would you respond to someone who says, "It's better to just do the work and get it out there. Don't let perfection become the enemy of productivity"?
Great question. I think it comes down to distinguishing between excellence and perfectionism. The perfectionist never ships anything because they never feel like it's complete. I would contend that excellence necessarily includes finishing the thing you worked on, even if it's not perfect. Excellence means giving it your best within the constraints of reality, deadlines, current ability, etc. Newport addresses this objection in the chapter on Obsess Over Quality. He says, "Give yourself enough time to produce something great, but not unlimited time... Progress is what matters. Not perfection." I would add that not everything requires the same level of excellence. Some things just need to get done. But when it's your main thing, your calling, life's work, or whatever you want to call it, you want to do it as well as you can within constraints, and that probably requires slowing down and doing fewer things. It's definitely a balance, for sure.
As a fan of Cal Newport and now a fan of yours, I’d like to ask you as a non-Christian, would I still be welcomed at your Academy? I was on Website and it looks amazing! I am Jewish and believe in everything you talk about in growing a relationship with God.. with one major exception… lol… I have nothing but great respect for my Christian brothers and sisters!!
Thank you for your content Reagan! Your book redeeming productivity has been such a blessing in my life and I look forward to reading it again and again.
So glad you found it helpful! Praise God!
I really enjoyed Cal's Digital Minimalism, I'm excited to read this one soon. Loved the review!
I know you're going to love this one.
Question for you, Reagan:
I've heart it said that we shouldn't "be precious" with our work. That is, we shouldn't worry too much about making it perfect, because it's better to do a good enough job and get it out into the world than to fret about making it the highest possible quality we can. Darren Doane is an advocate of this view, if you know who he is.
On the other hand, I hear Newport (and you?) advocating for a slower approach and a kind of meticulousness to work that emphasizes quality and durability, rather than churning out subpar work that won't stand the test of time.
How would you respond to someone who says, "It's better to just do the work and get it out there. Don't let perfection become the enemy of productivity"?
Great question. I think it comes down to distinguishing between excellence and perfectionism. The perfectionist never ships anything because they never feel like it's complete. I would contend that excellence necessarily includes finishing the thing you worked on, even if it's not perfect. Excellence means giving it your best within the constraints of reality, deadlines, current ability, etc.
Newport addresses this objection in the chapter on Obsess Over Quality. He says, "Give yourself enough time to produce something great, but not unlimited time... Progress is what matters. Not perfection."
I would add that not everything requires the same level of excellence. Some things just need to get done. But when it's your main thing, your calling, life's work, or whatever you want to call it, you want to do it as well as you can within constraints, and that probably requires slowing down and doing fewer things.
It's definitely a balance, for sure.
@@redeemingproductivity That makes sense... and requires a lot of discernment. Thanks for the reply.
Great review Reagan I appreciate it
Thanks for watching!
As a fan of Cal Newport and now a fan of yours, I’d like to ask you as a non-Christian, would I still be welcomed at your Academy? I was on Website and it looks amazing! I am Jewish and believe in everything you talk about in growing a relationship with God.. with one major exception… lol… I have nothing but great respect for my Christian brothers and sisters!!
You would certainly be welcome. Just know we talk about that one major exception quite a lot! :)
great!