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There Is No Perfect Solution

Created Jul 24, 2026, 10:27 AM · Updated Jul 24, 2026, 10:27 AM

There's no perfect solution - pick what works tired and ship instead of waiting for the ideal.

Key Concept

  • Waiting for the ideal option is itself a choice - usually the choice to stay stuck with the status quo.
  • Level 1: Waiting forever for the perfect choice is still a choice - and it usually means you keep the messy situation you have.
  • Level 2: Waiting for the ideal option is itself a decision - most often it keeps the status quo in place.
  • Level 3: Perfect solutions are imaginary comparators - real options all carry tradeoffs the wait avoids naming.
  • Level 4: Compare real choices against each other, not against a fantasy option that does not exist.
  • Level 5: Every real choice has tradeoffs - stop comparing real options to an imaginary perfect one; Reversibility asks which mistake you can undo.
  • Every real choice has tradeoffs - stop comparing real options to an imaginary perfect one.

Examples

  • I spent a week comparing strollers instead of walking with the baby we already had - picked the lighter one, went out tired that afternoon.
  • I stopped comparing note apps and shipped with the one that works on my phone tired - no perfect tool, only what I actually use.

Note Relationships

RelationshipWikilinkReason
alternativeAccept the Starting Linewhen waiting to feel ready blocks the good-enough move from where you are
contradictsPareto Principlewhen good-enough tired beats hunting the perfect 20%
contradictsRenewed Mindwhen I delay feeding my mind until thoughts feel holy
extendsMental ModelsThe nirvana fallacy is a mental model for when waiting for perfect blocks the good-enough move
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