Building More: The Flaws of Perfection

Words: Corey Adams
Words: Corey Adams 
I get it. I have been there and returned there from time to time. I have a little bit of perfectionism in me. Although it can be used for good, perfectionism often falls into the wrong hands, or at a minimum applied to the wrong task.  At the beginning of my time in this industry, I was infected with it. I grew up with the mantra, “if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.” The sad part is that most of us did. If you grew up in a small construction company, or in a small town of blue-collar workers, this was a badge of honor.  Why do people feel this is a good quality? The easy answer is they are narcissists, but that is not the whole story, or in many cases not even a page in the book. The real reason that many small business owners adopt this mindset is fear of failure.  When we start our businesses, we have to do it all. A small business owner needs to grow a massive amount of extra heads to wear all the hats. It is exhausting and thrilling at the same time. For those that make it, the thrill of success is greater than the exhaustion of getting there.  Once we get some security in our business, perfectionism does not leave. It was a trait learned out of necessity, and now it is ingrained in us. How does this affect us moving forward? A few ways. Delegation. Probably the biggest way that perfectionism is a flaw. In order to grow past an owner/operator setup, we need to begin to delegate.  I can remember towards the end of my partnership in my father’s company, we had a real conversation about what my role was, and what tasks I was doing. I was ready to push controlled growth. The problem was I was stuck doing day-to-day operations that could have been hired out at a fraction of what my salary was. It made no sense financially, or rationally. The problem? My father is a perfectionist, and frankly, I got it honestly.  Quality control. Ok, I am about to get maligned for this, but it is the truth. You can over quality certain jobs. Now I get that quality work is the backbone of a good referral system. I understand that small business branding relies heavily on the quality you put out, but let me add some perspective.  Imagine a project that doesn’t require perfect quality. Painted brick, concrete floor that is getting a floor covering, etc. You all know the jobs I am talking about. If you spend an extra 20% of labor time to make that project perfect, did you make any money? Probably not. If you did, you got lucky because your competitor bid it with 20% less labor.  As an example, there was a contractor that spent 10 days setting 67 bollards around a facility. They were a rectangle shape, 4’ apart. They built braces, structures, and batter boards to make sure every bollard was perfect. The GC was upset. That wasn’t in the schedule and had no reason to be done.  When I was called in on the next one, I heard the story, and immediately decided to not make that mistake. Three days later, three guys had set 97 bollards and filled them. Job done, and they passed with flying colors. Were they as good? No. Were they more than acceptable to GC and the owner? Absolutely. Success is not perfect. In fact, it is downright sloppy at times. Find a successful contractor, or any business owner, and ask them if everything went perfectly. I guarantee they will answer no, and probably laugh a little.  We all make mistakes. I make them often, and always will. To strive for perfection in every aspect of a business is an exhausting life of spinning wheels with no gains to justify it. Perfectionism is a self-imposed roadblock to success. Entrepreneurship is not about perfection. It is about trial and error, reevaluation, progress, getting better, and creating a life where you have the financial ability to be free. Especially free of the flaws in perfection.
About: Building More:
 0
2024 Architectural Awards: Excellence In Masonry Winners

The Masonry Advisory Council held the 2024 Excellence in Masonry Awards on Saturday, October 26th at 167 Green St., Chicago, Illinois. Honoring 80 projects from over the Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Area. The Awards program celebrates outstanding ar

By: Ashley Kelly
Read More
NSI and ISFA Announce Silica Exposure Literature Review

NSI and ISFA are proud to present a literature review that summarizes the growing library of studies related to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) exposure. Completed by Yale Occupational and Environmental Medicine, the study covers 34 publications and d

By: Amy Oakley
Read More
La Maison Franchère: How Masonry Turns Functional Buildings Into Timeless Beauty

La Maison Franchère, or the Franchers’ House, stands as a notable relic of stone architecture in Saint-Mathies, a small Quebec town on the edge of the Richelieu River. Unlike the neighboring homes, this towering, two-and-a-half-story mansion immediately c

By: Vera Autushka
Read More
MASONRY STRONG Podcast Episode 5 Recap: Zach Everett

Welcome back to another insightful episode of the Masonry Strong podcast! Today, we have a very special guest, Zach Everett, sharing his journey and experiences in the world of safety within the masonry industry. From humble beginnings to becoming a vital

By: Justin Stengel
About: Featured
Read More