Have you ever left something until the last minute?
Most of us have (ok probably all of us have).
Whether it's a report, presentation, or courageous conversation, many of us fall into the same trap: procrastination. And here’s the twist — we don’t procrastinate because we’re lazy. We procrastinate because we care. We want to get it right. We want to get it perfect.
But perfection has a sneaky cost.
While we wait for the mythical moment of inspiration, we spend hours, days, or even weeks carrying the mental load of the thing undone. Stress builds. Worry steals our focus. And all the while, the quality of our thinking, our presence, and our energy erode.
Here’s the truth: striving for perfection often robs us of progress. And progress is what actually creates momentum, clarity, and confidence.
So what’s the alternative?
Welcome to the 80% Rule.
We’ve been working with leaders and teams who are flipping the script. They’re embracing a simple but powerful principle: 80% done is better than not done at all.
80% clarity.
80% of the structure.
80% of the draft.
Get it on the page. Get it out into the world. Ship it.
This isn’t about lowering standards. It’s about unlocking flow. The 80% approach reduces stress, builds creative rhythm, and opens up time for feedback and iteration. (Even Picasso painted thousands of paintings — but we only remember a handful.)
As Seth Godin says: “Real artists ship.”
At Kānuka, we recommend building a skeleton structure — a mental or written framework that gets the important stuff out of your head and onto paper. This frees you up to think clearly, act decisively, and rest deeply.
When we teach this principle in our workshops, we often see a noticeable shift: less anxiety, more action. Less spiraling, more structure. It’s a simple reframe that can create real change.
So, here’s our invitation to you this week:
What’s something you’ve been holding off on, waiting for the perfect moment?
What would “80% done” look like?
What’s the next step to get it out into the world?
Take the step. Let it be imperfect. Let it be alive.
Because shipped is better than perfect.
We’d love to hear from you:
Have you tried the 80% rule in your work or life? What did you notice? Reply to this post or drop a comment — let’s learn from each other.
P.S. Can you imagine a workplace where every conversation, no matter how challenging or uncomfortable, could build trust, boost morale, and deepen connection?
This is the vision of Connecting Kōrero, our new 4-week online programme, crafted for people leaders at all levels who want to elevate their skills and confidence to hold those ‘tough and challenging’ conversations.
Joining our Connecting Kōrero programme means gaining access to:
🌱 Weekly pre-recorded videos packed with practical, no-fluff strategies
🌱 A supportive community to share experiences and learn from others
🌱 Scientifically-backed, holistic tools that go beyond the typical "how to have difficult conversations" programmes
💥 This isn’t just another programme. It’s the next step in your leadership journey, regardless of where you are on the leadership ladder.
ALL BENEFIT! click here to find out more 👇🏽
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