In design, perfectionism can feel like a virtue—but it’s often the enemy of progress. Many designers get caught up in endless tweaks, constantly striving for “perfect” results. The reality? Perfectionism delays projects, creates mental chaos, and stalls creativity. The 70% rule offers a better way forward: Start now, even if it’s not perfect, and refine as you go.
In this post, we’ll explore how embracing the 70% rule and overcoming designer perfectionism can unlock creativity, boost productivity, and transform your design process.
Episode Timestamps
- 17:30 Mental Chaos from Perfectionism
- 22:15 Completion Drives Inspiration
- 31:40 Client-Induced Delays
- 38:45 Shipping Projects at 70% Completion
- 42:10 The Power of Consistency in Creativity
What’s the Problem with Perfectionism?
Perfectionism isn’t about high standards—it’s about avoiding criticism and failure. As Brene Brown says, it’s a way of shielding yourself from judgment, but at a cost. You’re not just delaying projects; you’re putting yourself on a path to burnout, procrastination, and overwhelm.
Designers often fall into the “tinkering trap.” You might find yourself:
- Reworking processes endlessly
- Delaying client presentations waiting for the “perfect” sample or piece
- Avoiding progress altogether because it doesn’t feel good enough
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. But it’s time to start overcoming designer perfectionism by focusing on progress.
What Is the 70% Rule?
The 70% rule shifts your mindset from perfection to progress. It encourages you to act when a project or decision is 70% ready, knowing you can refine it later. Jeff Bezos uses this rule to make decisions faster—waiting for 100% of the information wastes time without improving results.
Here’s how the 70% rule works in design:
- Present designs before everything is perfect. Your 70% might be your client’s 90%.
- Complete installs with placeholders. Waiting for every piece to arrive isn’t practical—use temporary options when needed.
- Capture photos early. Shoot the space, even if a few elements are missing. Use Photoshop if necessary to fill in the gaps.
By adopting this approach, you’re already one step closer to overcoming designer perfectionism.
Managing Clients Who Get Stuck in Perfectionism
Indecisive clients are often stuck in their own version of perfectionism, constantly searching for the “perfect” piece. As a designer, it’s your job to manage these expectations and keep the project moving.
Here are two strategies to help overcome designer perfectionism:
- Pause Clauses: Include a clause in your contract that charges a restart fee if clients delay decisions for more than 30 days.
- Clear Timelines with Milestones: Break the project into smaller steps with desired and agreed upon milestones. This keeps client accountable and prevents delays.
These tactics not only help with your process but also guide your clients toward overcoming designer perfectionism.
Applying the 70% Rule in Your Design Process
Let’s talk practical steps for incorporating the 70% rule into your design workflow:
- Start with what you have. Progress is better than waiting for the perfect moment.
- Celebrate completions. Stop focusing on what’s missing and acknowledge the wins.
- Use feedback loops. Make your presentation expecting feedback and at least one round of revisions, welcome the feedback.
- Accept messy beginnings. Perfectionism can stop you from starting. The important thing is to begin.
- Capture what you can now. Don’t wait for every piece to be perfect—document the space and refine later.
Why Creativity Thrives Without Perfection
The more you focus on perfection, the more you stifle creativity. Waiting for everything to be just right limits experimentation and prevents those sparks of inspiration that come from doing. Creativity flows when you’re open to progress, learning, and adapting as you go.
Every completed project builds momentum. The more you create, the faster you grow—and the more confident you become. It’s not about doing everything perfectly; it’s about doing, learning, and evolving.
Make “In a Timely Manner” Your Mantra
Timeliness matters. Moving forward is more valuable than lingering in perfection. “In a timely manner” should be your new mantra—put it on your laptop, your bathroom mirror, or anywhere you need the reminder.
Your clients don’t care about your internal struggle with perfection. They care about beautiful, functional interiors, delivered on time. Perfectionism is the enemy of completion —and the 70% rule is your way out.
Key Takeaways
Embracing the 70% rule doesn’t mean lowering your standards—it means recognizing that progress beats perfection every time. By shifting your mindset, you can finish projects faster, unlock creativity, and avoid burnout.
It’s not about getting everything perfect. It’s about doing the best you can with what you have—and moving forward from there. Overcoming designer perfectionism will ultimately lead to better results, happier clients, and a more productive workflow.
When you’re ready to increase your interior design practice profits, work exclusively with ideal clients, and enjoy the time and resources for your extraordinary life, explore your coaching options. We’ve got your back in the business of interior design.
