Perfect, Ideal, And Workable

Leaders are called to act and get results.

However, a question that often comes to mind is:

"When is the right time to act?"

It can feel like a hard question to answer sometimes.

We have an aversion to making the wrong decision at the wrong time.

However, we eventually have to take some action.

So how do we go about deciding to act?

Here are some of the answers I've heard in the past.

The Perfect Time

Some Leaders believe that there is a perfect time to act.

At some point, a mystical and divine alignment will occur, which will notify them that it is time to act.

But does that ever work?

Maybe every once in a great while, but it's very rare.

Less than 0.01% of the time does this kind of thing occur.

Plus, when they do, Leaders often still don't act.

They are afraid that it isn't "Perfect Enough."

Fear is the driving force of people seeking perfection.

Fear also is what prevents so many from obtaining any level of success.

Perfection is unattainable, and we all know it deep down.

This means that when we seek a perfect time, deep down, we know it will never come.

Waiting for perfection is simply another way of saying we are too afraid to act.

It is alright to have fear, but we need to learn to overcome fear as Leaders and not allow it to control us.

The Ideal Time

Slightly different from the previous answer is waiting for the Ideal time.

There is a difference between the two.

"Perfect" is generally ambiguous and unattainable.

While "ideal" may have a set of conditions that are more cemented with an actual chance of occurring.

However, there is a different problem in this situation for Leaders.

The biggest problem is that it is a waiting game.

Whether the time comes is dependent on factors outside the Leader's control.

The Leader's success is dictated by outside forces that they have no say over.

In our fast-paced world, waiting like this is a death sentence.

If we are waiting, our opportunities for success will begin to run out.

Worse, if your competitors learn what makes an "ideal" time for you, they may work to prevent those circumstances from occurring.

Though "Ideal" may be theoretically attainable, it often never comes because it is a passive approach.

Or worse - the ideal situation comes, but it's too late to obtain success.

The Workable Time

"Perfection" is unattainable.

"Ideal" may never come.

But there is always right now, with what we have.

The best Leaders figure out what is Workable.

It is not perfect.

Often, the people and conditions are significantly less than ideal.

However, it can be done now.

It is active.

It is productive.

It doesn't rely on outside conditions.

While their competitors wait for an "Ideal," they create their Ideal.

While their competitors allow fear to make them wait for "Perfect," they act with courage, despite their fears, to get results.

They know that there will be mistakes, so they learn from them.

Nothing about their situation is Perfect or Ideal.

However, the Leader's results make it "look" like everything is in their favor.

It is deceptive from an outside perspective.

The truth is nothing was ever perfect or ideal.

The Leaders who get results figured out what was workable at the time.

There is only one right answer to the question, "When is the right time to act?"

Right now, with whatever is Workable for you.