Review of Done Over Perfect: Proven strategies for moving past overwhelm by Chioma EzwNwafor.
What’s the difference between “Just Do It,” the iconic tagline of Nike, an American athletics shoe company, coined in 1998, and “Don’t just do it, do it well,” which I once shared on X?
While the first is a call for immediate action at whatever level you are instead of procrastinating, the second is about ensuring perfection before doing anything.
While one may not get it exactly right just doing anything, especially when you are not sure you have everything figured out, the danger of wanting to do whatever you desire very well, without making any mistakes is that it may never be done. Many good ideas and concepts have not seen the light of day because those who should do them are so concerned about not getting them right or waiting for the best time to launch them.
I remember the late Founder of Church Growth International, Dr Francis Bola-Akin John who once told me that in his early days of publishing books for his ministry work, he was criticised for some grammatical errors in publications which he corrected in subsequent editions and eventually published many others that sold globally. He, however, noted that many of those who noted the errors in his books and could publish their books, never did because they were not sure they could produce a perfect copy.
Done Over Perfect: Proven strategies for moving past overwhelm by News Manager, Nigeria Info, Port Harcourt, Mrs Chioma EzeNwafor comprehensively addresses the need to not just get things done for the sake of doing it, but offers experienced-backed approaches for getting them done without succumbing to the killers of dreams: Procrastination, fear, self-doubt, inferiority complex, overthinking, distractions, what people will say and more.
The ten well-researched insightful chapters with relatable vivid personal experiences of the author in the 163-page book include: When Perfection Holds You Hostage: From Five JAMB Attempts to Finding My Voice, Understanding Your Story: Why That Conversation Changed Everything, Shifting from Perfection to Purpose: Beyond Being ITK, Your first steps to Freedom: Taking action before your feel ready and Creating Systems for Success: Establishing routines that support sustainable growth.
Other are Action Blueprint: Moving from Overthinking to execution, Charting Your Course: Balancing Motherhood, Management and Momentum, Mastering Execution: Getting Things Done When You Don’t Feel Like it, Troubleshooting When Problems Arise:: Turning setbacks into comebacks and Expanding Your Influence: Creating lasting change for yourself and others.
Apart from each chapter ending with a Looking Ahead page that tells the reader what to expect in the next chapter and reflect on what he or she has just read, there is also an Execution Diary in the form of a workbook with which the reader can set an objective, have reflective exercise and action plans.
The Endnote in the book did not just contain a Bibliography of works experts cited and literature references, it included detailed list of Professional Mentors and Influencers, Organisations and recommended reading on Personal Development and Mindset, Overcoming Fear and Procrastination, Building Habits and Productivity and Residence and Emotional Well-being.
As someone who has been a victim of procrastination that has held me back from publishing almost completed books that I felt may not be as detailed as they should be, launched a course on Media Career Development which I have the outline, but I not sure how well it would be received and other initiatives, I find the Done Over Perfect as a timely wake-up call to take measured steps as recommend in the book instead of waiting forever without maximising my full potentials.
The writer of the foreword of the book, Social Media Influencer and Storytelling expert, Dr Ella Ezeadilieje warned that “as you flip through these pages, be prepared to see yourself in these stories, to laugh, to cringe, shudder and maybe share a tear” and that’s what all happened to me, except for not sharing a tear having forgiven myself and now ready to take immediate action on any of my plans more than ever before. So help me God!
The author makes the point about lost opportunities due to wanting to be perfect more pointedly with the following questions: Think about the ideas you’ve nurtured but never acted on. The book you’ve always wanted to write. The business you have dreamed of starting. The career pivot you’ve been contemplating. I already confessed earlier that I am guilty as charged.
The key message of this book, which is both a memoir and a guide, as the author rightly puts it is that Perfection and not only procrastination as popularly known is a thief of time. “It steals opportunities, paralyses potentials, and leaves you stuck in a cycle of overthinking and under-doing.”
Explaining the difference between Perfectionism and Progress, the author stated that while perfection is a rigid, unattainable standard that keeps you stuck, progress is flexible. It’s about moving forward, one step at a time, even when the steps are messy or uncertain.
The author’s recollections of overcoming the repeated academic failure of writing JAMB five times, taking up a female sports presenter/producer job without knowing anything, not even something, about sports, and accepting to head a newsroom when she was not sure she had necessary skills, gradually building her online presence from when search engines had nothing on her, makes this book different from similar ones written by those who have not experienced what they are recommending for others.
The book is a perfect blend of theoretical principles by experts and numerous practical experiences.
If you are feeling stuck in the cycle of not being good enough and indulging in analysis that leads to paralysis, battling with the need to get everything you do perfectly before you even share them with others or desire to build a fulfilling career that fully utilizes your gifts, skills and capabilities, Done Over Perfect is highly recommended for you as a road-map to your guaranteed success. Even if you think you are doing well with maximising your potential, you still need to read this book to be sure of areas you can improve on.
The design of the book with visualizations and action plans makes the book easy to read and understand how to break free from the paralysis of perfection and the cycle of procrastination which the author carefully and passionately explained across the chapters.
There is the temptation to call Done Over Perfect a motivational book, but it’s not exactly one though it has many motivational nuggets like the following:
Failure doesn’t define you, it develops you.
You don’t become an expert before you start. You become an expert by starting.
Failures are not dead ends, they are re-directions towards your authentic path.
Progress is more valuable than perfection.
Clarity comes from doing, not waiting.
Fear and courage can co-exist
Done Over Perfect is more of a guidebook that seeks to solve a problem many are battling with without knowing what to do about it. Here comes Done Over Perfect as a way out for all those who are stuck and those who need to get better at being good.
Otufodunrin, Journalist and Media Career Development Specialist, is the Executive Director, Media Career Development Network
READ OTHER BOOK REVIEWS:
Book Review: An encounter with success