There is always room

Another way to look at perfectionism / Issue 1,209

Oh, hi friends!

There is always room for refinement. 

I was reading an old old old collection of William Saroyan plays (he lived in the Central Valley of California, where I grew up) and I came across that line in some of his advice about writing.

Fresno, California

There is always room for refinement.

Such an elegant phrasing, isn’t it?

It’s not, Hustle harder. 

Or, Squeeze out a new draft or else.

Or even, Not good enough, try again.

But simply…There is always room for refinement.

Room gives us space, freedom!

Cherry blossoms in Fresno

Why do we forget these things when we’re in the thick of it?

Or when we want to be done?

“Refinement” doesn’t have to be torturous, or exhausting.

Suffering is optional.

As you’re working on — or working through — your big ideas, I hope that Saroyan’s words might be a comfort instead of a command.

Give yourself the room. 

Continue.

Allow yourself to refine away.