In the late 1970's I attended a big networking event in Atlanta, Georgia, while there I took a free personality assessment test that was offered by a representative from the Myers Briggs organization, a well known career and personality assessment organization. The assessment test placed me in a classification I did not like, nor want to accept. Among other things it showed that I accepted "good enough" rather than "perfection" in my work. Not only was I insulted, I felt that I was somehow wronged in the assessment of my answers.

The test was right, I was wrong. Years later I realized that assessment of me, of my work style, was on target. I have found while others are striving for perfection, I tend to move along to completion of the same assignment, if necessary I will call it a draft and get on with it. It may not be the best way to go, but it does keep you out of the dark hole you often find yourself in when you are stymied and can't seem to move forward.

Is the pursuit of perfection a bad thing? I think not. I believe, you should always do the best that you can, and be the best you can be whatever your age or your stage in life. If you are not perfect, move on to being good at what you do. The best you can do does not mean you do not strive for perfection. The best you can do means just what it says, "doing the best you can;" it means know what you do best and put your efforts to that end. It also means not obsessing about how good someone else is or how much better he or she is than you are in a certain area, because their best will never your best.

What should you do? In doing your best, make sure what you do is neat and clean, physically and figuratively (research your facts) then sign your name with pride. I have recall what a grade school teacher said after one student handed in work with spills and obvious erasures; "Never hand in sloppy work, it is not acceptable, your work is your signature." Her statement is not profound nor is it earth-shaking, but it is something I have always remembered.