I take a strange pleasure in finding typos in a book or major publication. It's nice to know that even with a team of editors, sometimes things fall through the cracks. I'm not alone in being human!
Still, while proper grammar and syntax are preferable, our positive contribution is more important than a spotless record. And striving for perfection can often get in the way of making a contribution.
Many of my favorite thinkers are those who never miss writing their daily or weekly newsletters. By producing not because it's perfect but because it's Monday, they get closer to perfection over time. They improve more by releasing their work into the world than by reading through the draft another 50 times.
Seth Godin, one of those writers who never misses a day of publishing, makes the distinction between "scrappy" and "crappy." He notes that one should avoid publishing that which is hurried, sloppy, or ungenerous — in other words, crappy. Still, he argues, "The only choice is to launch before you’re ready. Before it’s perfect. Before it’s 100% proven to be no risk to you."
He continues, "Scrappy means that while it’s unpolished, it’s better than good enough. Scrappy doesn’t care about cosmetics as much as it cares about impact. Scrappy is flexible and resilient and ready to learn."
By being willing to put ourselves out there, even if it comes with a typo or two, we learn and get better.
Over time, the more we are scrappy, the less we are crappy.
tomorrow i return to a work in a setting i havent done in 5 years. im 62, and my uptake of new stuff feels slower. im an occupational therapist, and it is a chance to share Gods love with the geriatrics i work with. so it wont be perfect, but im sharing!
The combination of the text and the YouTube video you make are though perfect!!!
Certainly perfect to help me be better by trying what I often don’t want to do or had never thought I could or should do!
I hate you Michael Rossmann for challenging me!!! 😃😀😀😀😀