We’ve all been there. You’re staring at a half-finished project, a messy living room, or a career path that looks more like a zigzag than a ladder. The pressure to be "optimized" is everywhere. But lately, there's been a shift. People are tired. Honestly, the phrase it isn't perfect but it might be is becoming a bit of a rallying cry for anyone who’s ever felt paralyzed by the need to get everything exactly right. It’s a messy, honest way of looking at progress.
It’s about potential.
The Psychology Behind "It Isn't Perfect But It Might Be"
Perfectionism is a liar. It tells you that if you can't do it flawlessly, you shouldn't do it at all. Dr. Brené Brown has spent years researching this, and she basically argues that perfectionism is a shield. We use it to protect ourselves from judgment. But when we say it isn't perfect but it might be, we’re dropping the shield. We’re acknowledging the flaws while holding onto the hope that the thing—the relationship, the job, the creative hobby—has legs.
Think about the "Minimum Viable Product" (MVP) concept in the tech world. Silicon Valley thrives on this. They don't launch a perfect app; they launch a "good enough" version to see if people even want it. Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn, famously said that if you aren't embarrassed by the first version of your product, you shipped too late. That’s the core of the it isn't perfect but it might be mindset. It’s the willingness to be seen in your "draft" phase.
It’s scary.
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Putting something out there that's only 70% of the way to your vision feels like walking outside without a coat in January. You feel exposed. But that exposure is where the real growth happens. If you wait for 100%, the world has already moved on.
Why This Phrase is Taking Over Social Media
You’ve probably seen the "de-influencing" trend or the rise of "photo dumps" on Instagram. We are collectively moving away from the era of the hyper-curated aesthetic. The high-gloss, filtered lifestyle of 2014 feels fake now. People want grit. They want to see the "it isn't perfect but it might be" version of your kitchen, not the staged one.
This isn't just about photos. It's about life milestones.
We used to have these rigid timelines: marry by 25, house by 30, kids by 32. Now? Everything is fluid. Your "starter home" might have a leaky faucet and a weird smell in the basement, but you bought it because it isn't perfect but it might be the place where you finally build some equity. It’s a functional optimism. It’s looking at a chaotic situation and finding the thread of possibility.
The Problem With "Optimization" Culture
We live in a world of 5-star reviews. If a restaurant has a 3.8 rating, we skip it. If a book has a few bad critiques, we don't buy it. This has bled into how we treat ourselves. We try to "optimize" our sleep, our diets, and our friendships.
But humans aren't machines.
When you try to make every part of your life a 5-star experience, you burn out. You stop taking risks. You stop trying new things because the "it isn't perfect" part is too hard to stomach. But the it isn't perfect but it might be philosophy gives you a "get out of jail free" card. It allows for the 3.8-star experiences that actually teach you something.
Case Studies: When "Good Enough" Beat "Perfect"
Look at the history of art and science.
- Penicillin: Alexander Fleming didn't set out to find a world-changing antibiotic in a clean, perfect environment. He found it because his lab was a bit of a mess and a petri dish got contaminated. It was a failure that became a miracle.
- The Post-it Note: An engineer at 3M was trying to create a super-strong adhesive. He failed. He ended up with a weak, pressure-sensitive adhesive. It was a "bad" glue. But he realized it could be something else. It wasn't a perfect glue, but it might be a perfect bookmark.
- Early YouTube: The first video ever uploaded ("Me at the zoo") is grainy, short, and awkward. It’s not a cinematic masterpiece. But it started a revolution.
In each of these cases, the "imperfection" was the catalyst. If these people had been obsessed with perfection, they would have thrown their "failures" in the trash. Instead, they looked at the mess and saw the "might be."
How to Apply "It Isn't Perfect But It Might Be" to Your Life
So, how do you actually use this without just becoming lazy? There’s a fine line between "accepting imperfection" and "settling for mediocrity." The difference lies in the second half of the phrase: but it might be. The "might be" implies movement. It implies that you are going somewhere.
In Your Career
Stop waiting for the perfect job description. If you meet 60% of the requirements, apply. The job it isn't perfect but it might be the stepping stone to the role you actually want. Or, if you're a freelancer, send the pitch even if you think the idea needs more polishing. Feedback on a "good" idea is more valuable than silence on a "perfect" one that never left your brain.
In Your Relationships
We’ve been sold a lie about "soulmates." The idea that there is one person who fits every criteria is damaging. Real relationships are messy. They involve compromises and bad moods and disagreements about how to load the dishwasher. A relationship it isn't perfect but it might be the most supportive, grounding thing in your life if you're willing to work through the rough edges.
In Creative Projects
Write the "shitty first draft." Anne Lamott talks about this in her book Bird by Bird. You have to give yourself permission to write badly. If you try to write a masterpiece on day one, you’ll never get past the first sentence. The draft it isn't perfect but it might be the foundation for a great novel once you've edited it ten times.
The Role of Resilience
This isn't just a "feel-good" mantra. It's about psychological resilience. When you embrace the it isn't perfect but it might be mindset, you become harder to break. Failure doesn't feel like a dead end; it feels like data. You start to see setbacks as part of the process rather than a sign that you should quit.
Actually, it’s kinda liberating.
When you stop trying to be the best and start trying to be "in progress," the pressure drops. You can breathe again. You can actually enjoy the work because the stakes aren't "perfection or total failure" anymore.
Moving Past the Fear of Judgment
One of the biggest hurdles to this mindset is what other people think. We’re terrified of someone seeing our unfinished work and thinking we’re incompetent. But here’s the secret: most people are so worried about their own imperfections that they aren't even looking at yours.
And the people who do judge? They’re usually the ones who are too scared to try anything themselves.
The most successful people I know are the ones who are comfortable being "cringe." They post the raw videos. They share the half-baked ideas. They launch the "it isn't perfect but it might be" businesses. And while everyone else is sitting on the sidelines waiting for the "perfect moment," these people are three miles down the road.
Actionable Steps to Embrace Imperfection
If you're ready to stop let the "perfect" be the enemy of the "good," try these specific shifts:
- The 70% Rule: When you’re working on something, decide that 70% is the goal for the first iteration. Once you hit 70%, share it, ship it, or move on to the next task.
- Stop Using "Fine": When someone asks how a project is going, instead of saying "it's fine," be honest. Say, "It’s a bit of a mess right now, but I think there’s a good idea in there somewhere."
- Document the Mess: Take photos of the "behind the scenes." Show the burnt cookies, the messy desk, the failed attempts. It reminds you—and others—that the end product isn't the whole story.
- Identify the "Might Be": For every flaw you find in your work or your life, force yourself to identify one potential upside. If your new apartment is small, maybe it’s the motivation you need to finally declutter.
Embracing the Work in Progress
Ultimately, life is just a series of things that aren't perfect but might be. We are all works in progress. The moment we think we've reached "perfection," we stop growing. There’s no more room for surprise or discovery.
So, let the edges be a little rough. Leave the paint slightly smudged. Send the email with the one tiny typo that nobody but you will notice. The world doesn't need more "perfect" robots; it needs more humans who are willing to say, "This is what I’ve got right now, and I think it’s going somewhere."
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The next time you’re hesitating, just remember: it isn't perfect but it might be exactly what you need to do to get to the next level. Stop waiting for the stars to align. Start where you are, with what you have, and let the potential carry you forward.
Focus on the "might be" and let the "perfect" take care of itself.