Good vs. Perfect

 

This humble little postcard from 2011 represents a significant moment in my journey as a designer, illustrator, letterer, and maker.

I was a new mom off work on maternity leave, when a friend from work who knew me to be a secret designer reached out. She had been illustrating a wonderful daily design series called Wandering Poste, and asked if I’d be willing to contribute. I was plagued with self doubt as I began sketching my ideas. The hand lettering craze was just gaining traction and I wanted to dip my feet in and give it a try. But I was so darned intimidated. What if I couldn't do it?

Well, instead of letting the design-paralysis set in and get the better of me, this time I pushed back on that old hater Self Doubt the best way I knew how: by reminding myself to aim for good instead of perfect.

All said and done I'd surprised myself with how it turned out. I had managed to churn out two different lettering styles on zero experience or know-how, and heck if they weren't decent! While it wasn't perfect, it was exactly what I had hoped it would be: good.

So, to all you creative self doubters: take heart! Don’t get bogged down making things perfect. Aim for making good things instead.

Instead of letting the design-paralysis set in and get the better of me, this time I pushed back on that old hater Self Doubt the best way I knew how