Done Over Perfect: How Fear Disguised as Excellence Kills Your Business Momentum

Perfectionism might be the most dangerous threat to your business momentum you've never recognized. Behind the mask of "high standards" and "attention to detail" lies something far more insidious: fear. Fear of judgment, fear of failure, fear that what you create won't measure up.

In this deeply personal exploration of perfectionism, I share my own journey of paralysis around video content. For over a year, I avoided filming my podcast because "I'm too heavy," "I'm too old," and countless other excuses masked my real issue: fear of judgment. It wasn't until circumstances forced me to face this fear that I discovered the freedom waiting on the other side.

The truth is that perfectionism is costing you more than you realize. It's draining your energy through endless revisions, burning you out as you obsess over minor details, and worst of all—keeping your brilliant ideas trapped inside your head instead of out in the world where they could be helping others and growing your business. Your website doesn't need to be flawless to launch. Your service doesn't need to cover every possible scenario. Your marketing doesn't need award-winning design to get started.

What if you embraced a new perspective? What if done is better than perfect? What if excellence grows through iteration rather than endless planning? For faith-driven entrepreneurs, there's an additional comfort: God isn't waiting for your perfection. He's looking for your willingness to start, promising to "carry to completion the good work He began in you."

This week, I challenge you to identify one thing you've been holding back until it's "perfect." Take one imperfect step forward—publish that post, launch that offer, send that email, or share that story. Your momentum is just one imperfect action away. What will you finally release into the world?

Say goodbye to overwhelm and self-doubt, and hello to confidence and success. Join the Faith Filled Coaching family today and step into the abundant future you've always envisioned.
Visit FaithFilledCoach.com to schedule your free 30-minute consultation. Let's make your business dreams a reality, together.

Chapters

• 0:00 Welcome to Light Up Your Business
• 1:55 Breaking Free: Three Actionable Strategies
• 6:52 Practical Tips for Shifting Mindset
• 9:43 Taking Action with God's Partnership
• 10:50 Episode Closing and Call to Action

Transcript

Tammy Hershberger: 0:01

Welcome to the Light Up your Business podcast, the show where we dive deep into the world of small businesses. I'm your host, Tammy Hershberger, and each episode will bring you inspiring stories, expert insights and practical tips to help your small business thrive. Whether you're an entrepreneur just starting out or a seasoned business owner, this podcast is your go-to source for success in the small business world. Let's get started. Two sorts for success in the small business world. Let's get started. Hi, I want to welcome you back to another episode of Light Up your Business podcast. I'm Tammy Hershberger, and today we want to talk about perfectionism and how it kills your momentum. So if you're a perfectionist, you're an overthinker, you're the one that has these brilliant ideas, but you can't seem to publish them or send them out and get them out live. We're going to talk about that today Because you're basically destroying your own momentum, because you have these options, these ideas, these things that you could be getting out to help people or grow your business or whatever it is, but you can't get them out there because you think it's not perfect. Well, let's talk about that out there. Because you think it's not perfect? Well, let's talk about that. Let's talk about how we can shift into a healthier mindset when having a project that is done in your mind, it's done and you send it out and you don't have to sit there and then think, okay, well, it's not perfect, so I'm not sending it.

Tammy Hershberger: 1:18

So perfectionism isn't about high standards. It's honestly about fear. You're scared that you're going to fail right. You're scared that you're going to get judgment from it. You fear that it's not going to be enough or someone's not going to like it, and basically, perfectionism disguises itself as excellence. So if you look at the realm of what it's doing, right, so it's slowing you down. You're going to get burned out because you're constantly putting too much time into a project and you're going to get stuck in your head instead of moving forward in faith.

Tammy Hershberger: 1:48

So, talking about an example of this, so since I started the podcast I think a year and a half ago, I'm not exactly sure on that I have not done any video because, one, I didn't know how to do it. First off, I'm older, I don't, I don't know, technology is not for me so much. And two, the biggest thing was I was in fear. I was like I, you know, I'm too heavy, I'm too old, I'm too. This People aren't going to like it and I'm going to look like an idiot and all these things that it kept me from doing it. And then recently, when I did the podcast with Dennis, he wanted video, so it kind of forced us to figure it out. Well, thankfully, thanks to God, I have people who figure out how to do the technology no problem. And then I did it because he wanted the video, so I got over the fear of it.

Tammy Hershberger: 2:26

So here I am today looking at you and I mean whether I look good or not, I don't know, but I'm doing it. So I'm facing my fear and you could say it's perfectionism, but really it's just fear. So you need to look at what you're doing and say am I not doing it because I'm scared of all of these reasons I just listed? It's normally not just because you want it to be completely perfect, because nothing in life is perfect. That's God didn't make us perfect. So three things that we can do to help you get launched out there. Get your website launched, get your podcast launched, get that new service out there, put those door hangers out.

Tammy Hershberger: 2:59

Whatever it is that you're trying to do that you're scared of or you think is just not perfect yet can't put it out there. Here are three ways to break free from that. One remember, perfectionism is illusion. There's no final version that will ever be perfect. Even the people you admire most, they didn't start with perfect versions, right, they just started.

Tammy Hershberger: 3:17

So you may say, for example, my studio. I supported. So you may say, for example, my studio. I'm very happy with my studio. This is great. It's better than doing it out of my house, right?

Tammy Hershberger: 3:24

But it's not perfect. I don't have a fancy background. I don't have the most perfect equipment, but what I am, what I do have, I am very blessed to have also, um think about business-wise. So if you started your business and you're like I, I don't have the most perfect car to start with. So so, josh Latimer, he had bird on a. That's not it a bird. I can't think of the name of his business, it was something bird. Anyway, he had a window cleaning business and he had a tiny little Honda Civic or something really small and it was tiny. But he wanted to start his business, and so he has this picture if you search him up on the internet. He had this massive long ladder that looked ridiculous on top of this tiny car, but that helped him to get started. He didn't start with everything. Now you know he's got really nice stuff. He eventually sold that business.

Tammy Hershberger: 4:09

But you don't have to have the best of the best to get started. It doesn't have to be perfect, it cannot. It doesn't have to be the perfect logo, right? My business, the Barringer we've done our logo, I think three times before. We've landed where we are now and I really like it.

Tammy Hershberger: 4:22

This podcast I started it. It was probably not very good at the beginning. It's still not perfect, but I'm doing it and I'm getting it out there, right. And so you just got to face it and just remember it's not going to be perfect. Remember, progress builds clarity. So until you've released it into the world, you don't really know what works right. So until you put the door hangers out, until you've launched that website, that maybe isn't perfect.

Tammy Hershberger: 4:46

I talked to someone that was building their website and they were like it's just not perfect, I can't get it out there. And I said nobody even knows who you are. They can't even find you without that website. Get the website out there and as you get more money, as you get more clarity, as you get more professional pictures done. As you get more product, whatever, then you start launching that out there and then people can at least find you now. And then, when you got all of that, you just keep growing.

Tammy Hershberger: 5:07

I don't know any brand that has not grew and slowly changed, right? Sometimes their logo changed, sometimes their names changed, whatever it is like, just get it out there, let it be what it is. It creates action, right, and action creates clarity. It's not more planning and tweaking. That's not going to get you there. Excellent grows through iteration, right. So your first draft is never your final draft. But you can't define what doesn't exist. Done means you have something to improve. So even when we were building a house the first time we had, we've drawn up plans and we've done these things, and there's always something in every house I would change. It's never perfect. I'm like, oh, I wish this room was bigger, I wish this room was in a different location, I wish the bathroom was different, like you're always going to have changes in life. That's just normal. First, no, I'm sorry.

Tammy Hershberger: 5:57

Philippians 1.6 says he who began a good work in you will carry it to completion Again, god's not waiting for us to get a perfect. He just said just start right. We can find scriptures all over that talks about just start and God will meet you there and he will bring that good work to completion. It doesn't have to be perfect the first time. God's not asking for perfection, people. He's asking for progress, for obedience, for trust. If he tells you to do something, don't wait. I mean, we just learned this in bible school today about don't wait, he won't move on. He needs you to move now. He shouldn't be telling you for a week to do something. Just do it. And sometimes people are like I can't do it, I don't have the money, I don't have the website, I don't know how to do that, blah, blah, blah. Well, that doesn't matter, you just do it and God will meet you there. He'll bring the finances, he'll bring someone that can help do that website, or he'll find you the venue that you need, whatever it is. So let's talk some more, basically tips. We'll call them to shift into.

Tammy Hershberger: 6:53

Done is better than perfect, right? So one set a good enough deadline. What does that mean? Well, it means, instead of waiting until something is perfect, you give yourself a clear, short deadline. Get it 80% there and then ship it off right. Or get it 80% and launch it, and then you can come back and tweak it and modify it and you might get some feedback. But feedback is good, right? Nobody's product is ever perfect. The first time You're going to keep tweaking it, you're going to find it breaks too easy here or has a weakness there. Or you know the website. I've launched things and I'm like, oh yeah, I forgot to add that. So then I just go in Takes 10 seconds, I change it and now it's fixed, it's out there.

Tammy Hershberger: 7:28

You want to practice public progress, so share your process, not just your published version. It builds connection and lets people in on the journey. So what that means is, for example, I mean we could do a thing here. I haven't done it, but I could do a social media post of like if you right now you can't see, I have a cameraman standing there helping with the cameras and I'm sitting here and and it took time to build this studio and I have an artist that I work with in my coaching and he I've told him, do time lapses of when you're doing murals or paintings. It's fun to watch when someone is creating something. In my window business my business partner he did a time-lapse video which was not super long. I think it's called a walnut pad I can't remember what it's called but he basically scrubbed the whole patio door down with his white little whatever and then squeegeed it off and that was one of the best videos we had for rankings, because people thought it was interesting to watch, that we want to see stuff happening.

Tammy Hershberger: 8:22

Think about reality shows. That's what that is. I mean you're watching businesses be built. You're watching people live together. You're watching cooking shows. I mean it's all just a process.

Tammy Hershberger: 8:32

Third tip create before you critique. So don't edit while you create. Separate brainstorming from refining. It saves your momentum. So like that's an example would be while I'm creating this podcast, I could start over and over and just keep editing and like, no, that's no good, take that one out, do it again. I'm just going to send this out to you and it's not perfect. You know I only have so much budget, I'm only have so much time and I only have so much resources, but I'm going to do it my best and send it out and we'll keep working on it and God will keep providing.

Tammy Hershberger: 9:02

And then you need to celebrate the done right. Train your brain to reward completion, not perfection. Every finished project is a win. When this episode goes out, it's a win. It's not perfect. I'm sure I could have said it better. I could have had a better studio, better outfit, whatever. Just get it out there and then celebrate that because it's something that you actually completed. It will build momentum right. It's like a rock when you're pushing it up a hill. It takes some momentum to get it going and then once it comes down the other side, that thing just flies right. It's a train. Get that momentum and then let it sail.

Tammy Hershberger: 9:34

So remember, when you're in a kingdom-minded entrepreneur like I am, it's not all riding on your performance. It's riding on your partnership with God. Excuse me, he'll multiply your willingness. He covers those gaps right the shortage of time, money building, help, whatever. So release the pressure to be perfect. God is faithful to bless the work of your hands, not that illusion in your mind. So what's one thing you've been holding on to? What are you waiting on until it's perfect?

Tammy Hershberger: 10:05

This week, I want you to take one step, one imperfect step Publish the post, launch the offer, send the email, share that story. Done really is better than perfect, and momentum is one step away. Excuse me, if this episode encouraged you today. Share it with fellow entrepreneurs, friends, family, whoever you think can use the help of just getting it out there. It gives them encouragement. You encourage them. Tag us on Instagram at Light Up your Business.

Tammy Hershberger: 10:36

I'd love to hear what you're finally releasing, you know. Go on my page, go on Facebook, find me. Tell me what you finally submitted and got done. What did you finish that you've been waiting on. Release that stuff into the world and let it shine Today. We thank you for listening. I'm gonna have another great episode for you real soon here. We thank you Like, share, subscribe. Let everybody know about us. We appreciate you guys. Thank you, have a great day and remember in the world of business, every success story begins with a passionate dream and ends with a strategic billion dollar handshake. Stay ambitious, stay innovative and keep making those deals that reshape tomorrow. Thank you all for tuning in and until next time, remember. Proverbs 3, 3 says let love and faithfulness never leave you. Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. That way, you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. And remember if you like what you heard today, click the follow button so you never miss an episode.